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.
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