Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has revealed he is ready to take over the managerial reigns of the Nigeria national team after receiving an unofficial invitation by the Nigerian FA.

Nigeria sealed their place in next summer's World Cup finals after beating Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi to top Group B by a point after stuttering their way through qualification under current coach Shaibu Amodu.

Having received an unofficial approach to coach the Super Eagles by the Nigerian Football Federation last week, Mancini, who has been out of work since being sacked by the Nerazzurri in 2008, has revealed that he is prepared to lead Africa's third highest ranked team come June.

"I was asked about my willingness to take over in an unofficial way and I said I was willing because the prospect of an African Nations Cup and a World Cup appeal to me," the 45-year-old told Friday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Nigeria is rich with excellent players who are not well known. If they really want me, I'll sit down and negotiate."

Mancini led Inter to two consecutive Scudetto’s (one was given to them as a result of the 2006 match-fixing scandal), and was the club's most successful manager in the modern era.

Nigeria are in Pot 3 for Friday's eagerly anticipated draw in Cape Town, which you can see on BBC2 from 5.15pm, and are amongst the 'dark-horses' for the tournament.