Lagos — Stephen Keshi has expressed delight in being given the chance to tinker the Malian national side.

The former Super Eagles' skipper, said this much after signing a deal on Tuesday to become Mali's national team coach ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Keshi was on the shortlist for the Nigeria national team post, but is now effectively out of contention, with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) yet to make a decision.

"I've signed with Mali, and I'm starting work this evening," Keshi told BBC Sport from Bamako yesterday.

"It's a shame, I would have loved to have coached the Nigeria team, but the NFA was undecided, so I went for Mali.

"Should it come any time when I'm free, of course I'd love to coach Nigeria. My goal with Mali is to take it game by game and see the outcome," Keshi said.