After three exhilarating weeks of feisty football feast,
a strange burst of open happiness that I last felt back when
I was in primary 5
(When Nigeria defeated Zambia to win her 2nd
Afcon in Tunisia 1994) was rekindled
19 years later, as the Super Eagles coasted to another
historic victory South Africa.
As I consume the joy and euphoria of the Afcon success, I took some time to reflect on the
lessons I learnt from the legendary Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
1.UNDER PROMISE AND
OVER DELIVER
Keshi’s appointment as the Super Eagles gaffer was
unheralded
as it came at a time when
Nigerian football was steadily plunging
into abyss and @ its lowest ebb.
The lads failed to qualify for Afcon 2012. The Big Boss
never promised to perform a turnaround in a short while,
he only said he will
try and rebuild a new team with the homebased players in mind.
Now, he has gone
ahead to build a team that will represent Africa in the Confederations cup in
Brazil,
with a home based player Sunday Mba scoring the vital goal
on Sunday night.
2.TEAM SPIRIT
Keshi won the boys over, off the field of play and we all
saw the result on the field of play.
I have never seen a bunch of committed and determined Super
Eagles players since 1994!
They buried their personal pursuits and played for one
another.
They all played as unit as he made them realize that
TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE(TEAM).
3.YOU DON’T NEED ANYONE TO BELIEVE IN YOU,BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Keshi’s path to Afcon success was not only narrow but also
unheralded.
He almost walked out of the team when the NFF administrators
were trying to teach him his job.
Infact,90 percent of sport pundit in Nigeria (including
myself) didn’t give him a chance.
But he went all the way to prove us wrong..apologies to
Keshi.
However I think that was what he needed to galvanize the
team to victory.
Nobody has the right to define you or make you feel
inferior, unless of course you permit them.
Forget what people are saying about you, what matters most
is what you say about yourself.
4.HUMILITY
As a sports Journo, I interviewed Keshi on two occasions and
I must say that the Big boss is down to earth.
I remember I had to call him very late in the night for an
interview and he granted it even though he had asked me
to call earlier. And
after the Victory in South Africa, instead of taking the glory, he rather
ascribed it to his backroom staff,
they include: Sylvanus Okpala, Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu,
Valere Houandinou.
5.AMBITION
If you don’t have a goal or a vision in life, then you are only
existing and not living.
Keshi gave the lads something to fight for, he sold them his
vision, and they ran with it like possessed spirits!
Defender Efe Ambrose said
after the finals that Keshi told them even
before the tournament,
that his aim was not only to win the cup but to go to the
Confederations Cup in Brazil ,
The Confederations Cup is bigger than what they were playing
for in South Africa.
And his dream was all the inspiration they needed to Rule
Africa!
As we continue to celebrate, I encourage you to go ahead and
soar like theSuper Eagles, as you keep
scoring life goals…
Happy Golden Week!
@akinmodupe.
