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The speculation had been doing the rounds since Sunday when the Super Eagles, as the Nigerian side is called, were sent out of the ongoing African Cup of Nations competition at the quarterfinals stage in a 2-1 defeat against host Ghana.

 NFA board member Abubakar Ladan told a news conference that "Vogts has not been sacked, contrary to media reports.

 "In spite of the dismal performance of the Eagles and with the full support of the Nigerian government, we have decided to follow the due process," he said.

 "We (NFA) dissociate ourselves from the rumours that Vogts has been sacked," Ladan said in a brief statement.

 The embattled 61-year-old Vogts has left Ghana for Germany. So have most of the Europe-based footballers on the Nigerian squad.

 Earlier Tuesday, Vogts himself had rejected Nigerian press reports that he was about to be sacked as national team coach.

 Vogts told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa on his return from Africa he knew nothing about the reports and wanted to continue in the job.

 "The (federation) president and federation have indicated their complete confidence in me," he said.

 The former Germany and Scotland coach has been heavily criticised following Nigeria's worst Nations Cup display for 25 years.

 According to the online edition of Nigeria's KickOff magazine, the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) was preparing to announce the dismissal of the German coach.

 But Vogts, who has a contract until 2010, said he had been told to continue his work with the national team and intended to return to Nigeria in March.

 "It is enormous fun to work with the players. Some changes have to be made, but sometimes it's only about small things."

   Local press reports doubted whether Vogts would get the chance to continue in charge of the Super Eagles. KickOff Nigeria.com said former international Stephen Keshi had emerged as the favourite to replace him.

 It said the NFA board has resolved to go for a local coach and Togo trainer Keshi has emerged as the favourite for the position, along with one of his successors Sunday Oliseh.

 Former Nigeria captain Oliseh meanwhile told Britain's BBC Sport he might be interested in a role.

 "I think it's time that those of us who have played at the highest level, it's time we took charge because it is heartbreaking," he said.

 Oliseh, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 1994 and is currently coaching in Belgium, said: "I have been asked if I would like the job and I think it is time that those of us who have the experience and have played a part in what Nigerian football is today, I think it's time - the solution in our hands."

   The BBC said Vogts's position with the Super Eagles will be reviewed later this week.

 Nigeria's performance represents the worst showing at the Cup of Nations since 1982 when they went out at the group stage.