Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is nicknamed 'big boss' and can
now match that with big achievements, after leading Super Eagles of Nigeria to
the African Cup of Nations title.
Keshi on Sunday became the first Nigerian to lift the trophy
as a coach, the first black African manager in over 20 years to win the
continental championship, and only the second man to claim the title as a
player and a coach.
The rare success indicated a possible change in the
landscape of the continent's football, where European managers are typically
entrusted with the big African teams.
"It's not for me alone. I hope more African coaches
will get to this position and make their country proud," Keshi said soon
after his team's 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the final at Johannesburg's
Soccer City.
Keshi, a former central defender who captained Nigeria to
its last African title in 1994, represents a new breed of black African coaches
and has often said in the past they need to be given more chances, and more
space to show their ability.
Ghana's Kwesi Appiah, also a former player, nearly led his
country to the final in South Africa, falling agonizingly in the semi-finals on
a penalty shootout.
"As an African person coaching the team, you do not
have time," Keshi said after the final and dressed in a green t-shirt with
'Nigeria, Champions of Africa' printed on the front. "They (fans) want you
to have the job today, tomorrow build a wonderful team, the next day win the
Soccer World Cup. It's difficult.
"If only we can understand how these things work, then
we can grow better in Africa. Most of the coaches are not given freedom to
work, and express themselves. They hold back a little bit."
Keshi hasn't held back.
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.
"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 favorite Ivory Coast and its array of stars in the
quarterfinals, 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.
"The way the boys were working, the concentration was
there so it kept me going that we will get there," he said. "I'm an
optimistic person. I rarely think about negativity. Even when it goes bad, I
still think it's good.
"There must always be a lesson to add to my future to
make it better."
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