The big Boss as he was fondly called ( for his leadership quality) served his country both as a player and as a coach and stamped his name in the golden historical book of Nigeria's achievement.
www.soccer120.com Chinedu Okorodike digs into his historical archive to bring 10 of Stephen Keshi's impact for Nigerian as a country and in the lives of Nigerians and African players.
1. HE QUALIFIED NIGERIA FOR HER FIRST EVER WORLD CUP AS A CAPTAIN.
After several attempts the Super Eagles finally secured a ticket to the FIFA senior World Cup which was hosted in USA in 1994.
Stephen Keshi played a Key role to ensure the Eagles qualified for the World Cup to be held on America soil. He gallantly featured in six of the eight qualifiers (4-0 home win against South Africa, 0-0 away draw against South Africa, 1-0 away win against Congo, 2-1 away lost to Cote d Ivoire, 4-1 home win against Ivory Coast and 1-1 away draw against Algeria).
And in the decisive away game against Algeria which ended 1-1, Keshi marshaled the Eagles defence, displaying his leadership qualities and wealth of experience as Nigeria finally earned a place at football's biggest showpiece. After the match in Algeria Keshi cried.
Years later he said I cried because “We had history to make for ourselves unlike the Algerians, who had noting to play for. That last game, I recall, was played under closed doors and we needed a draw. We were a young side, so the pressure was on us. But at the end we got a draw"
2. HE BECAME THE SECOND NIGERIAN TO QUALIFIED NIGERIA FOR THE WORLD CUP AS A COACH.
Keshi became the second Nigerian to qualify Nigeria for the world cup after Shaibu Amodu. The Big Boss guided the Super Eagles to top group F which also had Kenya, Malawi, Namibia with 12 points.
During the playoff Nigeria sealed qualification for Brazil 2014 after beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate. His big moment came when he was given the nod to lead Nigeria to the world cup. He was able to lead Nigeria to a second finish after the Super Eagles lost to France.
3. KESHI WAS A SHOULDER NIGERIANS AND OTHER AFRICAN PLAYERS LEANED ON.
A good example was how he got Ghanaian player and star of Barcelona 92, Odartey Lamptey, to play in Europe. Odartey Lamptey was not allowed to travel by the Ghanaian authorities who went as far as seizing his passport and travel documents.
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| Odartey Lamptey |
But "cometh the hour cometh the man". As Keshi broke the law of immigration by getting Odartey Lamptey a fake passport and traveling documents and smuggled him into Belgium. Odartey Lamptey will forever cherished Keshi. He also helped the brilliant Philip Osondu of Nigeria to seek greener pasture abroad.
But one outstanding feat was how he foot the bills for Obobaifo (a Nigeria U-20 ex international midfielder) who died in a road crash after ramming his car into a street light in Belgium in 1992 under the influence of alcohol.
The Belgium authorities enforced its law which was to see Obobaifo pay for damages if he survives the accident or his family pays if he lost his life in the accident. His family could not meet up,which prompted the Belgian authorities to seize Obobaifo remains.
Once again "cometh the hour cometh the man" as Keshi paid the fine to the local council to get his body released. He also paid for the transportation of the body to Nigeria for burial.
4. HE BELIEVED IN LOCAL PLAYERS
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| Former local Players like Sunday Mba blossomed under Keshi |
And this singular act by Keshi made the Nigeria Premier league interesting, as players gave their best week in week out, scoring cracking goals hoping to catch the eyes of the big boss.
He made sure he struck a balance between the foreign base and the local base players, eliminating any form of superiority in camp and on the field of play and giving the locally players a flow of belief in their abilities.
One could see the love that existed in the camp of the Eagles between local and foreign players. Every one worked for each other.
5. HE LOVED NIGERIA JUST LIKE HE LOVED HIMSELF
Keshi always put Nigeria first when the need arises. Stephen Keshi was a true patriot who felt bad whenever Nigeria lost a game. He was a commander on the pitch and his winning mentality and leadership aura rubbed on everyone.
A good example was during the Olympic qualifier for the Los Angeles Olympic to be held in America in 1984. Nigeria was up against Morocco and needed a win to book its place. 90 minutes was up and the match required penalty kick to sort out the winner.
Up stepped a young Henry Nwosu who took his kicked stylishly and goalkeeper Ezzaki Badou of Morocco saved, thus denying Nigeria an appearance in the football event of the Olympic. Keshi tore up Henry Nwosu verbally and almost slapped him.
Another typical example was during the Algiers 90 Nations cup Stephen Keshi flew in from his base in Belgium despite his club Anderlecht refusing to release him. He flew in for Nigeria's second game against Cameroon and the final match against Algeria during the tourney.
He was dedicated to the Super Eagles project on and off the field which prompted ex eagles coach Adeboye Onigbinde to make him captain at a tender age of 21 despite having other senior players in the team like Late Mudashiru Lawal.
Keshi once said in an interview long before he got the Super Eagles coaching job,that he has a burning desire to lead the Super Eagles to greater heights.
“I love Nigeria to bits, it’s killing me. I don’t know why the people at the NFF don’t want to see my face. But if I get the opportunity one day, by God’s grace, I will show my countrymen what am capable of doing .” He said.
He fulfilled that promise when he guided the Super Eagles to claim the Nations cup trophy in 2013 before a packed crowd of 90,000 people in Johannesburg after a 19 years wait.
He got the captains arm band because he was brave, dedicated, talented and a leader even at a young age. Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof once said "Keshi was the Eagles coach on the field while I am the coach on the bench".
Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof once said Keshi was the Eagles coach on the field while I am the coach on the bench.
6. HE WAS CALM AND CONSTRUCTIVE IN HIS STATEMENT AND AVOIDED SCANDALS
Keshi was always calm and avoided any scandal despite being treated badly many times by the NFA and later NFF. A good example was after he was banned by the football federation led by Group Captain Tony Ikhazobo in 1985. Reasons was that he disobeyed camp rules and regulation after reporting to camp a day after deadline due to club commitment. The ban meant that Keshi and four other players (Sunday Eboigbe, Bright Omokaro and Henry Nwosu) will not play for club ((New Nigerian Bank (NNB) of Benin) and country for six months.Rather than rant and start calling names. He quietly and peacefully traveled abroad since the ban did not affect him playing abroad. It turned out to be a blesssing in disguise as it championed his career and paved way for his eventual move to Lokeren and Anderlecht in Belgium and later Strasbourg in France.
Also during his stint as coach of Nigeria, he was always at longer heads with the NFF, but he handled the matter with calmness typical of him. He never went on air or on social media to discredit anyone. But rather went about his duties even when he was owned salaries and accused falsely of taking bribe from players before selection.
7. HE OPENED THE FLOOD GATE FOR MOST PLAYERS TO MOVE ABROAD.
Keshi opened the floodgate for players to move to Belgium to seek for greener pasture. Following his ban by the NFA he moved to Abidjan and then Belgium where he captained Anderlecht FC. He became an integral member of the Anderlecht team, Due to his exploit in Belgium. Keshi encouraged young players to follow in his footsteps and travel abroad to play. |
| Keshi playing for Anderlecht against Sampdoria in the 1990 European Cup Winners' Cup Final |
He became a mentor to players, his exploits in Belgium caused the dark scales to fall from the eyes of European club coaches and scouts as they all started jostling for the signatures of Nigerian players and other Africans players
He supported Nigerian and African players who were coming up by helping them to cross over to Europe.The Big Boss would identify their talents and connect them to a trusted agent. When some complain about flight tickets, he would get them flight ticket and also provide logistics and accommodation by housing them in his house in Belgium where they will be treated to sumptuous meal by his late wife Kate until they have found their feet.
Soon Nigerian and African players were living their dream, playing alongside players they could only idolize via television and pages of Newspapers.
8. HE WON THE NATIONS CUP FOR NIGERIA AS A CAPTAIN.
After Nigeria won the Nations cup in 1980 on home soil. Nigerians longed and yearned for another moment of victory. They wanted to see their darling team mount the podium meant for champions.
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| Keshi celebrating the 1994 Nations cup victory in Tunisia with Peter Rufai and Sunday Oliseh |
The Eagles came close to winning a second nations cup but defeat either at the semi final or final always made that possibility unrealistic. But after a 14 years wait, under the guidance of Coach Clement Westerhof the Big Boss led Nigeria to win the Nations cup in 1994 in Tunisia.
9. HE IS NIGERIA'S MOST DECORATED PLAYER AND COACH
Keshi is the decorated Nigeria footballer. He was captain when Nigeria emerged finished second at the Nations cup held in Cote d’Ivoire in 1984. He was captain when Nigeria finished second again at the Nations cup held in Morocco tagged Maroc 88.
Keshi was also captain for when Nigeria finished second for the third time at the Nations cup held at Algeria tagged Algiers ‘90
The reoccurring silver medals soon diminished to a bronze medal as Keshi also captained Nigeria when Nigeria finished third at the Nations cup held in Senegal in 1992. His joyous moment after so many heart break came as he led Nigeria to win the 1994 Nations cup held in Tunisia.
He won the silver medal as assistant coach to Jo Bonfrere during the Nations cup co hosted by Ghana and Nigeria tagged Ghana/Nigeria 2000. He also won the bronze medal as assistant coach to Shaibu Amodu at the Nations cup held in Mali tagged Mali 2002 and the Gold medal as HEAD COACH for Nigeria at the 2013 Nations cup held in South Africa.In all, Keshi played for Nigeria for 13 years (1981-1994) during which he participated in five Nations Cup championships with one bronze, three silver and one gold to show.
As a coach, Stephen Keshi won one silver, one bronze and one gold. Now tell any other Nigerian dead or alive that has achieved such magnificent and outstanding feat with the National team of Nigeria.
As a coach, Stephen Keshi won one silver, one bronze and one gold. Now tell any other Nigerian dead or alive that has achieved such magnificent and outstanding feat with the National team of Nigeria.
10. HE WON THE NATIONS CUP FOR NIGERIA AS A COACH.
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| Keshi presents the AFCON trophy to Former President Goodluck Jonathan |
This was perhaps Keshi's finest moment as he guided Nigeria to victory during the Nations cup in held in South African In 2013 after a 19 years wait. That victory brought back hope for Nigerians as the nation populace revived hope in the once "dead football"
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| Keshi and his assistant coach Daniel Amokachi pose for the camera with the AFCON trophy they won in 2013 |
It also placed Stephen Keshi in the canals of history as he (Keshi) became the second Person to win the Nations cup as a player and as a coach.
My humble suggestion
As Nigeria mourns the death of a legend, we call on the Nigerian football authority and the government to immortalize this great man and not let his antecedence be washed away like that of previous sporting heroes such as Rashidi Yekini, Samuel Okwaraji, Muda Lawal and many more. I will personally miss you your Adieu the Big Boss.
Chinedu Okorodike (Aka Juanizy)
Email: chineduokorodike@soccer120.com
GALLERY
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| Keshi received an MON award from former president Goodluck Jonathan for his exploits at the AFCON in 2013 |
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| Daniel Amokachi lifts Stephen Keshi high in celebration of the AFCON victory in 2013 |
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