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‘I dedicate victory to Nigerians’

Sport
CHARISMATIC, multi-lingual and proudly African, Keshi ensured that Ivory Coast’s Yeo Martial in 1992 finally had a successor as an African winner and ensured Nigeria’s long-awaited victory had a special, Nigerian feel to it after the one-time king of the continent fell on hard times over the past two decades.

CHARISMATIC, multi-lingual and proudly African, Keshi ensured that Ivory Coast’s Yeo Martial in 1992 finally had a successor as an African winner and ensured Nigeria’s long-awaited victory had a special, Nigerian feel to it after the one-time king of the continent fell on hard times over the past two decades.

Reuters

“Winning this tournament is mainly for my nation,” he said. “I want to dedicate this to all Nigerian coaches.”

He earned his chance with Nigeria’s national team after spells in charge of Mali and Togo and also as an assistant coach when the Super Eagles last made the final, in 2000.

When he took over the top job after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2012 edition and following a dismal 2010 Soccer World Cup, little was expected of the team. Nigerians prepared for more disappointment in South Africa.

But the big boss became a big hit after guiding it to a 2-1 win over title favourite Ivory Coast and its array of stars in the quarter-finals, and throughout managed his players expertly in a 4-1 win over Mali in the semis and a 1-0 defeat of a dangerous Burkina Faso team in the final.

Even without leading scorer Emmanuel Emenike for the final because of injury and with a late surge from the Burkinabes, Keshi had faith in the team he rebuilt.