Keshi thankful for Nigeria escape

Stephen Keshi was relieved with a goalless draw against Rwanda in the first leg of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.

Nigeria were held to a 0-0 stalemate in Kigali on Wednesday, surviving several late chances for hosts Rwanda.

“I will not say I’m satisfied with the result because that was not what we came here for,” Keshi said following his first competitive game in charge.

“But going by what the Rwandans put up, I will say a draw is okay and we were very lucky not to concede a goal in the closing stages of the game.”

Keshi’s Rwanda counterpart Milutin Sredojevic was happy with his team’s composure and attacking threat against their more established opponents.

“Nigeria is a big football nation in Africa and we knew it would be difficult beating them, but my boys were very disciplined today and I must commend them for showing grit against a great soccer playing nation,” Sredrojevic said.

Nigeria will host the return leg in Abuja on June 15.