Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and his Ethiopian counterpart, Sewnet Bishaw believe that it’s about time Nigeria returns to the summit of African football with one of their players winning the coveted African Player of the Year Award. The awards are scheduled for Lagos, Nigeria next week.
Bishaw who spoke first also expressed his love for the Abuja National Stadium and wished it was in his native Ethiopia. “Nigeria was obviously the best football nation in Africa last year and I won’t be surprised if a player from the country emerges the player of the year. They deserve to get the award. I also wish this beautiful stadium is somewhere in Addis Ababa”, he said smiling.
Keshi on his part said it has been a very long time since a Nigerian won the African Footballer of the Year Crown and he is rooting for John Mikel Obi to emerge the best among the pack. “It will boost the team and Mikel and all Nigerians because it has been a long time since we last won the award and I know we deserve to win this year”, he said.
On whether he will be happy to be named the African Coach of the Year, Keshi said he will play the wait and see game but added that it will be a great honour to be so named. Keshi who is primed for the award and may not depart with the national team to South Africa on Tuesday evening is favoured to bag the prestigious Coach of the Year Award.
