Nigeria coach Shaibu wins World Cup contract

Nigeria have rewarded coach Amodu Shaibu with a contract to next year's 2002 World Cup finals.

Shaibu will also be in charge for the 2002 African Nations Cup as the West African country continues to celebrate their qualification for the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea and Japan after a 3-0 win over Ghana in Port Harcourt yesterday.

Nigeria join South Africa, Tunisia, Senegal and Cameroon at the finals as Africa's contingent.

Shaibu's success has been a surprise.

He was a temporary appointment after the sacking of Dutchman Jo Bonfrere in April for a string of poor results and a long-running row over money.

The team have five wins from five games under the new coach which has led to a permanent contract for him.

Nigeria has had 21 foreign coaches since the 1950's. Shaibu is the first Nigerian coach to take the national team to a World Cup finals.

Dutchman Clemens Westerhof and Frenchman Phillipe Troussier led the team in 1994 and 1998 respectively.

Shaibu will retain his assistants, Stephen Keshi and Joe Erico, who took charge with him in April after a 1-0 defeat in Sierra Leone allowed Liberia to take control of the qualifying group.

The 16-team African Nations Cup tournament will be hosted by Mali between January 19th and February 10th next year.

Shaibu has had remarkable success recently given the Nigeria squad's constant rows with Bonfrere and Troussier in recent years.

Squad members - many of them prestigious European stars with the backing of their NFA allies - questioned team selection and tactics as well as causing constant problems over payments for players.