The beginning of African Cup of Nations, (AFCON 2013) never gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria any green light to win the trophy. From the outset, Cote D'Ivoire was the favourite. Everyone believed the elephants will defeat any nation including Nigeria.
The first two matches saw Nigeria drawing with Burkina Faso and Zambia. Keshi was lambasted. He was heavily criticised. News started coming from different quarters that he would be replaced after AFCON. In all these, Keshi never shifted blame on anyone not even on his players.
All his words were words of encouragement and wisdom. He kept on charging his boys. He accepted all failures as his. This humility and silence would have triggered the players. It is a psychological warfare. We must not let down the boss. All the insults must be praises for him a posteriori.
This is a formidable feat. The hopelessness of a team was repackaged to hope with the dexterity of a coach. He did not say he is the most criticised coach in the history of Nigeria or the most insulted in the history of the world. He held on and became a hero.
Nigerian leaders should now learn humility and RESPONSIBILITY. The Nigeria is entrusted in their care, hence all that go wrong must be accounted for by them. No blame-shifting. Criticism and abuse must occur. So it is world-over. Keshi has taught them, let them learn.
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