By James Copnall BBC Sport, Sfax

Jones Attuquayefio says he wants to continue as coach of Benin

Cecil Jones Attuquayefio wants to stay on as Benin coach, despite the Squirrels' disappointing Nations Cup finals exit.

Benin went down 2-1 to Nigeria for their third loss in as many games, but their coach has certainly not had enough.

Attuquayefio told BBC Sport he will seek an extension to his contract.

"My contract expires in August, but I want to keep on working," he said.

"We have started many programs to improve Benin football, and things are going well.

"I have started this work so I want to finish it."

We are a little baby trying to grow Cecil Jones Attuquayefio

However, the Ghanaian coach realises the decision may not entirely be down to him.

"If they still give me recognition, support and respect, I will look to stay.

"If they don't like my face any more, I will have to start looking for a job in Ghana!"

Attuquayefio led the Squirrels to their first ever Nations Cup finals, but Benin are heading home after three defeats in three games.

Yet their coach says Benin will have profited immensely from the experience.

"We are a little baby trying to grow," Attuquayefio said.

"Now we will go back to Benin and see how we can improve the team."

The former African coach of the year did not try to hide the fact that his side had less talent than their adversaries.

"I have learnt many things here," he explained.

"But I think that what my team does not have individually, we do have collectively."

Attuquayefio hopes to improve those individual and collective performances by staying as Benin coach for the years to come.