Keshi ... Life Lessons From The Legend
Speechless!!! Shocking!!! Denial!!! Disbelief!!! Think of all the words in the world...those were my state of mind on seeing the news caption by Sahara Reporters that Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has passed on. I am still in a state of bewilderment, hoping that it was a summer April fool prank.
How do I begin to explain someone who lost his wife last December and in less than six months he is no longer with us. Indeed, a legend is gone! Our own Stephen Keshi is no longer with us. The most successful coach Nigeria have had and perhaps one of the most successful Nigerian football players in our generation. I have always known that he was great but what astounded me were the encomiums that flooded the social media from all over the world. Messages poured out from different strata of life - from the corporate world to media personalities, African Football Association, football ex-clubs and more.
A picture of condolences is as follows: Tancredi Palmeri (Italian Journalist), Jonathan Willson, Hon. Dogara (Speaker of the Representative, Nigeria) President Mohamadu Buhari - President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Oshinbajo - Vice President of Nigeria, Mark Bright (Former Crystal Palace player & BBC Sports Journalist - worked with Keshi at the Cup of Nations 2004), Multichoice, MTN, BBC, The Telegraph, ESPN, Ghanian FA, Uganda FA, Tanzania FA, South Africa FA, Danny Jordan, Gianni Infantino - FIFA President, Issa Hayatou - Confederation of African Football president, Tony Elumelu (Executive in the Nigerian Corporate World), Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya, Phillippe Auclair -( England's Contributor to France Football), Aisha Buhari - Wife of the Nigeria's president, Guarantee Trust Bank, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, TalkSport UK,Samuel Eto, Didier Drogba,Fredi Kanoute, Anderlecht Football club Belgium, Strasbourg France and the list is endless.
When you consider the list above, you can only conclude that he is such an iconic figure. The Ghanaian Football Association had their flag hoisted at half - mast in honour of Stephen Keshi, they went further by observing a minute silence in honour of the "Big Boss" .
I have more fond memories of Keshi as a footballer than as a coach/manager. He was so confident and calm with the ball that I always looked forward to seeing him play for Nigeria. I always had this assurance that with him in the team, they appeared organised.
I remember vividly the 1988 Maroc African Cup Of Nations, he had missed the first game against Kenya - a game we won comfortably. Keshi had promised to fly directly in time for the crunchy second game against Cameroon. The game was to start at 4pm, I could remember encouraging my dad's driver to speed up so that I could get home in time to watch the game. I ran into the living room and headed straight for the TV - the game had literally started and within a minute Late Sam Okwaraji unleashed a scorcher of a shot that gave us the lead. All I was interested in was to find out if Keshi was playing, then I saw him give a back pass to Peter Rufai and I was so convinced there was no way Cameroon was winning, the game ended 1-1. Keshi flew out and promised to arrive if we get to the Finals, coincidentally we met Cameroon again and he was immense once again and he even had his effort on goal hit the crossbar. Although we lost the game but Keshi showed his dedication on this occasion again.
The are life lessons one can learn from Stephen Keshi
Leadership
His leadership traits were ever so evident, He leads on and off the field. He earned the respect of his teammates that he was called the "Big Boss". He was known to form the mafia group in the national team. He always fought for the team, confront authorities if/when necessary.
Pathfinder
Keshi opened the door for some Nigerian players in Europe. This was an era when it was pretty tough for African players to breakthrough. Before 1984 the only Nigerian professionals to feature for the country were John Chidioze and Tunji Banjo, every other Nigerian player plied their trade locally. A point of correction, Keshi was not the first home based Nigeria to play in Europe . Silvanus Okpala and Okey Isima were already playing abroad as at 1985. Keshi however led an exodus of other players to the Belgian league - The likes of Austin Eguaveon Samson, Siasia, late Osaro Obobaifo, Etim Esin followed afterwards. Belgium became the Mecca of Nigeria professional players. This was all thanks to Stephen Keshi.
Responsibility
Keshi took some huge responsibility when it matters. I remember the 1984 African Cup of Nations against Egypt, Nigeria was down by 2-0 goals and the Egyptian looked on course to win the game by 2-0, Keshi scored the penalty before Bala Ali equalised to make it 2-2. Nigeria went on to win the game via penalty. He demonstrated such feat again against Cameroon during the 1990 World Cup qualifiers, Keshi scored the winning goal to ensure the game ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.
Keshi was a different type of central defender. To be honest I can't think of him having the typical Central Defender trait i.e tackling, heading etc.Sometimes I often wonder he hovers around the goal area. He usually launches the offensive attack from the rear and gets involved in the build-up to a goal that after his defensive partner Sunday Eboigbe must have done the dirty job defensive. Keshi forged a solid partnership with Eboigbe which enabled him to function in the Libero (Sweeper) role . He was a superb organiser of his team both at the club and national team levels and his throws are just as good as crosses into the 18-yard box.
Making the best of situation
In the 80's Keshi ran into trouble with the football administrators and as a result, he alongside some of his teammates were banned from playing in Nigeria. He moved to Ivory Coast where his career continued to progress. Eventually, he moved to Europe where his career continued to blossom.
Giving everyone a chance
At the time Stephen Keshi took over as Super Eagles manager, we were at our lowest ebb, by this time all the Super Eagles were foreign professionals. Keshi decided to give some of the home based players a chance. This resulted in 6 home based players being selected for the South Africa - African Cup of Nation 2013. One of such players - Sunday Mba scored the crucial goals that enabled us to win the Nations Cup after .
How do I begin to explain someone who lost his wife last December and in less than six months he is no longer with us. Indeed, a legend is gone! Our own Stephen Keshi is no longer with us. The most successful coach Nigeria have had and perhaps one of the most successful Nigerian football players in our generation. I have always known that he was great but what astounded me were the encomiums that flooded the social media from all over the world. Messages poured out from different strata of life - from the corporate world to media personalities, African Football Association, football ex-clubs and more.
A picture of condolences is as follows: Tancredi Palmeri (Italian Journalist), Jonathan Willson, Hon. Dogara (Speaker of the Representative, Nigeria) President Mohamadu Buhari - President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Oshinbajo - Vice President of Nigeria, Mark Bright (Former Crystal Palace player & BBC Sports Journalist - worked with Keshi at the Cup of Nations 2004), Multichoice, MTN, BBC, The Telegraph, ESPN, Ghanian FA, Uganda FA, Tanzania FA, South Africa FA, Danny Jordan, Gianni Infantino - FIFA President, Issa Hayatou - Confederation of African Football president, Tony Elumelu (Executive in the Nigerian Corporate World), Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya, Phillippe Auclair -( England's Contributor to France Football), Aisha Buhari - Wife of the Nigeria's president, Guarantee Trust Bank, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, TalkSport UK,Samuel Eto, Didier Drogba,Fredi Kanoute, Anderlecht Football club Belgium, Strasbourg France and the list is endless.
When you consider the list above, you can only conclude that he is such an iconic figure. The Ghanaian Football Association had their flag hoisted at half - mast in honour of Stephen Keshi, they went further by observing a minute silence in honour of the "Big Boss" .
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| Keshi in action Against Sampdoria in the Club Cup Winners Cup |
I remember vividly the 1988 Maroc African Cup Of Nations, he had missed the first game against Kenya - a game we won comfortably. Keshi had promised to fly directly in time for the crunchy second game against Cameroon. The game was to start at 4pm, I could remember encouraging my dad's driver to speed up so that I could get home in time to watch the game. I ran into the living room and headed straight for the TV - the game had literally started and within a minute Late Sam Okwaraji unleashed a scorcher of a shot that gave us the lead. All I was interested in was to find out if Keshi was playing, then I saw him give a back pass to Peter Rufai and I was so convinced there was no way Cameroon was winning, the game ended 1-1. Keshi flew out and promised to arrive if we get to the Finals, coincidentally we met Cameroon again and he was immense once again and he even had his effort on goal hit the crossbar. Although we lost the game but Keshi showed his dedication on this occasion again.
The are life lessons one can learn from Stephen Keshi
Leadership
His leadership traits were ever so evident, He leads on and off the field. He earned the respect of his teammates that he was called the "Big Boss". He was known to form the mafia group in the national team. He always fought for the team, confront authorities if/when necessary.
Pathfinder
Keshi opened the door for some Nigerian players in Europe. This was an era when it was pretty tough for African players to breakthrough. Before 1984 the only Nigerian professionals to feature for the country were John Chidioze and Tunji Banjo, every other Nigerian player plied their trade locally. A point of correction, Keshi was not the first home based Nigeria to play in Europe . Silvanus Okpala and Okey Isima were already playing abroad as at 1985. Keshi however led an exodus of other players to the Belgian league - The likes of Austin Eguaveon Samson, Siasia, late Osaro Obobaifo, Etim Esin followed afterwards. Belgium became the Mecca of Nigeria professional players. This was all thanks to Stephen Keshi.
Responsibility
Keshi took some huge responsibility when it matters. I remember the 1984 African Cup of Nations against Egypt, Nigeria was down by 2-0 goals and the Egyptian looked on course to win the game by 2-0, Keshi scored the penalty before Bala Ali equalised to make it 2-2. Nigeria went on to win the game via penalty. He demonstrated such feat again against Cameroon during the 1990 World Cup qualifiers, Keshi scored the winning goal to ensure the game ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.
Keshi was a different type of central defender. To be honest I can't think of him having the typical Central Defender trait i.e tackling, heading etc.Sometimes I often wonder he hovers around the goal area. He usually launches the offensive attack from the rear and gets involved in the build-up to a goal that after his defensive partner Sunday Eboigbe must have done the dirty job defensive. Keshi forged a solid partnership with Eboigbe which enabled him to function in the Libero (Sweeper) role . He was a superb organiser of his team both at the club and national team levels and his throws are just as good as crosses into the 18-yard box.
Making the best of situation
In the 80's Keshi ran into trouble with the football administrators and as a result, he alongside some of his teammates were banned from playing in Nigeria. He moved to Ivory Coast where his career continued to progress. Eventually, he moved to Europe where his career continued to blossom.
Giving everyone a chance
At the time Stephen Keshi took over as Super Eagles manager, we were at our lowest ebb, by this time all the Super Eagles were foreign professionals. Keshi decided to give some of the home based players a chance. This resulted in 6 home based players being selected for the South Africa - African Cup of Nation 2013. One of such players - Sunday Mba scored the crucial goals that enabled us to win the Nations Cup after .
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