61st Posthumous birthday: Stephen Keshi’s post 2013 AFCON title win thoughts remembered
Born on January 23, 1962 in Bauchi State Nigeria, the life and times of Late Super Eagles handler is remembered today on his 61st Posthumous birthday.
On SportsRation today , we present the Post match thoughts of Late Stephen Keshi after leading Nigeria to the 2013 AFCON title to mark his 61st posthumous birthday.
Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg South Africa to put Keshi on the prestigious roll as one of two persons to win the AFCON title as a coach and player.
The Stephen Keshi led Eagles did surprise the odds on their way to the title, famously defeating a star studded Cote D’Ivoire in what was the most difficult game, one the Eagles were tipped to lose.
Keshi bared his mind In the post match comments, his thoughts on how African coaches are treated , the quality of players in the team, not relying on big names and foreign coaches are key thoughts worth sharing.
STEPHEN KESHI POST 2013 AFCON TITLE WIN COMMENTS
” When I was in Portugal, I had big players who I decided not to take with me for reasons best known to me.
” I was experimenting on some new things and needed players who would keep a cool head and fight for the team.
” I know there is a lot of talents in this team and it would take time to get to where we want to reach. We thank God that it is really working
“I dedicate this victory to God and also Nigerians because they missed this sort of thing for a very long time.”
” My goal is to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians”
” The 1994 squad which I captained took us five years to build. This team is just five weeks old.
” We are just growing. We are still adding and subtracting. If I see new players who would add quality to the team, I would invite them.
“ There is talent, the mentality is strong and things are coming up gradually”
” I am not against white coaches coming to get jobs in Africa. My thinking is that if you want to bring a white coach to Africa, you must bring a very good one, not a carpenter to come and coach us and you say that we are not good. I am not against a white coach. “
” It’s a shame in Africa, When there’s an African coach nobody wants to give you time, they want you to have the job today, build a wonderful team tomorrow and next year win the World Cup. If only we could work out how these things work we could have more success. But most coaches aren’t given freedom to work so they are held back.“
THE BIG BOSS; SUPER EAGLES PLAYING AND COACHING STATS
As Player
– 68 caps
– 9 goals
– 1x AFCON winner
As Super Eagles coach:
– 42 games
– 18 wins
– 14 draws
– 10 defeats
– 64 goals scored
– 41 goals conceded
– 1x AFCON
KESHI’S DEATH
On 7th June 2016, Nigeria lost Stephen Keshi following a heart attack.
The Big Boss died in Benin City, Edo State aged 54.
