Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu is to remain in charge for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers after taking his country to third place in the African Nations Cup.

NFA president Olusegun Obasanjo said this week he was impressed by Chukwu’s performance in Tunisia.

The NFA’s plan to hire former England captain Bryan Robson before the Nations Cup in Tunisia was overruled by Sports Minister Musa Mohammed.

Nigeria lost on penalties to eventual winners Tunisia in the Nations Cup semi-finals before beating Mali 2-1 to win the bronze medal.

In the African World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria are in the same group as Rwanda, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Angola and Algeria.