Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, was a year older yesterday, January 23, as he turned 51 years old, using the occasion to reiterate that he never used football age in his playing career, hence his long years of active football. In fact, most officials and players of the team were oblivious of his birthday as at lunch time as he went about the business of the day as if nothing was at stake.
His birthday last year was also marked while the team was in camp in Abuja, preparing for the qualifiers for the ongoing Nations Cup. Occasionally, people called from far and near to wish him luck and success in life, but he kept it under wraps, wishing as he told close camp confidants to celebrate after the Afcon 2013 championship has come to a glittering end for Nigeria.
“There may be a minor birthday song for him at dinner time, but nothing serious will happen until we achieve our aim in the Nations Cup”, a source hinted. Meanwhile, national team’s midfield talisman, John Mikel Obi, has said he had started dreaming of the 2013 trophy for Nigeria after a long trophyless time for the two-time African champion.
“We may have drawn our first game, but we need to settle down and forget it and concentrate and I can see us smiling home with the trophy at the end of the day”, he said. during Tuesday’s evening training session.