Iran coach, a threat to Stephen Keshi

Iran coach, Carlos Queiroz will come face to face with Coach Stephen Keshi on June 16 in a Group F opening game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when his team take on the Super Eagles.

After the World Cup, the Portuguese born Iran trainer has another battle to contend with his Nigerian counterpart, this time in the African continent.

With Carlos Queiroz strongly rumoured to be linked with the Bafana Bafana job when Gordon Igesund’s contract expires, it could be that the Portuguese will be auditioning for the role when he leads Iran at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The 61-year-old led Bafana Bafana from 2000 until 2002 where he enjoyed a reasonable amount of success. However, he cut his time short after reportedly falling out with the South African Football Association.

Earlier reports in Nigeria and South Africa had linked the Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi with the Bafana Bafana job but with the latest reports from South Africa, where Queiroz and his Iranian squad for World Cup have been camping for the past two weeks, it appears the battle for the Bafana job will be keener than expected.

Although Keshi insists that he has not been contacted by the South Africa Football Association, it is strongly believed that his romance with the Nigeria Football Federation would come to a soothing end after the World Cup and the next destination for the Afcon winner is thought to be South Africa.

While Keshi who led modest Togo to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations crown in 2013 is regarded as the most successful Nigerian tactician in history, Queiroz boasts experience of coaching at some of the best teams in the world like Manchester United, Real Madrid as well as the Portuguese national team.

Queiroz’s recent stint with Iran has also proved to be a huge success. He successfully led the lesser-known football nation to only their fourth appearance at the world’s showpiece tournament. The Lions are in a tough group alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia.

 

Iran coach, a threat to Stephen Keshi