Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari, took his fatherly role a step higher when he was one of the first to wish Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, a happy 52nd birthday here in Cape Town through a phone call early Thursday.
After him was the Chairman of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee, Christopher Green. In his message, Maigari said Keshi’s birthday is another opportunity for him to demonstrate his coaching and leadership credentials by winning the ongoing African Nations Tourney (CHAN), in South Africa.
“On our part in the NFF, I can assure you that support will not be lacking despite the huge challenge of funding football. We congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday and while wishing you many happy returns we pray that you continue to bring Nigeria joy through excellent coaching of the national team with the immediate task being victory at the ongoing CHAN tourney”, he said.
Keshi himself said he was overwhelmed by the message of Maigari and other well meaning Nigerians and promised not to let the nation down. “As a matter of fact we have suspended any form of celebration till we achieve what we came here to do in South Africa”, he said.
The management of Green Court Hotel, will however steal a time during lunch hour to celebrate the coach, as the staff pulled out birthday balloons and cakes for the former Anderletch of Belgium and Strasbourg of France skipper. The players also sang the happy birthday song for Keshi, who was a bit taken aback by the spontaneity of the event. “All these for me, I’m surprised but very grateful”, he said as he admired the birthday balloons in the dining hall.
The team continues preparation Thursday evening at the Green Point training ground here in Cape Town in preparation for Saturday’s quarter final duel against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
