Kanu, others hail Keshi at 52

 

| credits: Chukky Nwakky

Nigerians from different walks of life on Thursday flooded the micro-blogging service, Twitter, with congratulatory messages to celebrate the 52nd birthday of the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi.

In the course of the day, the former Super Eagles defender and skipper was the subject of the talk of many Nigerian users of Twitter, as the hashtag, #HappyBirthdayKeshi, went trending. The majority of those who posted special messages to him simply made use of the hashtag.

According to one of those who reached out to Keshi on Twitter, a special birthday greeting to him on the cyber space is not out of place because he is a “man who has given Nigerians the smiles the government isn’t giving them.”

Keshi, who holds the record as one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and a coach, was specially recognised by many football-loving Nigerians for giving his best to the job despite being owed salaries and wages.

A particular fan of Keshi, Cubes Badmus, described him as a legend that has turned the fortunes of the Super Eagles around since he took over as national coach.

Badmus argued that if Nigeria truly appreciates her heroes, the likes of Keshi should not be having issues with unpaid salaries and wages.

He tweeted, “Some people serve us and steal our money; some serve us and don’t get paid their dues but they keep giving their best. I am of the opinion that Keshi is under-appreciated.

“Today (Thursday) is Stephen Keshi’s birthday! He is the big boss and a legend. He has made people like me enjoy and believe again in the Super Eagles. God bless you much!

“I remember how much I was not happy when Keshi became coach, because I thought Samson Siasia was our only hope. But Keshi proved me wrong. Well done, boss.”

Badmus added that he had learnt many lessons from Keshi’s achievements as the handler of the national team, saying, “One life lesson I learned from Keshi is: ‘Whatever you do, get results! Nobody argues about visible positive results!’”

Another football enthusiast, Toyin Ibrahim, said the achievements recorded by Keshi as the national team manager for Togo, Benin and Nigeria has shown to the rest of the world that local coaches on the African continent are no pushovers.

“Coach Stephen Keshi, you now make the rest of Africa believe in local coaches and you are, indeed, the best tactician now in Africa. We can only pray that you enjoy your birthday,” Ibrahim wrote in a tweet.

Another message posted to Keshi by Dare Atie read, “You brought smiles to our faces after 19 years, with the African Cup of Nations trophy. God bless you and your family. More trophies for you.”

While one Santi Dinero in his birthday message hailed Keshi as “the nation’s pride,” Jerry Eugene thanked him for his “hard work and dedication to our country.” Kamil Ajani, who was full of praises for him, also stated, “Nigerian national football team was dying. In fact, it could’ve died. Thanks to Keshi; we are back as the best on the continent,” he tweeted.

Many of his fans also used the opportunity of his birthday to wish him success in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil later this year.

A close follower of African football, Adetoyese Oyedun, said he was looking forward to Keshi’s exploits at the global event.  “To the national team coach, I say a happy birthday to you. Wishing you many more years to come. You have brought back success to the national team in your own way. Looking forward to the World Cup.”

 Two-time African Footballer of the Year, and former Nigerian striker, Kanu Nwankwo, also reached out to his senior colleague in the round leather game. Kanu, who described Keshi as the “big boss,” offered prayers to God to grant him more successes as the national team coach.

“I wish you a happy birthday and many more to come to you, Big Boss Keshi. May God bless you and keep lifting you up,” he wrote on Twitter.

Also, konga.com, one of Nigeria’s leading online stores, expressed great admiration for Keshi on their Twitter handle. The online store posted a customised portrait of Keshi on their timeline with the message, “We are wishing Super Eagles’ Coach a happy birthday.”

Frontline Nigerian sports analysts who sent Twitter messages to Keshi include SuperSport’s presenter Collin Udoh; and sport writer and broadcaster for the BBC World Service, Oluwashina Okeleji, among others.