Until he helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa on Sunday, Stephen Keshi’s achievements for his country in his heyday could hardly be said to have received the deserved recognition.
The 51-year-old blazed a trail in the signing of Nigerians as professional players in Europe when, after stints with Ivorian clubs Stade d’Abidjan (1985) and Africa Sport (1986), he joined Belgian side Lokeren in 1987.
Perhaps, Keshi could have ended his playing career in the domestic league like Nigerian football greats such as Segun Odegbami, Kadiri Ikhana, Christian Chukwu, Aloysius Atuegbu, Emmanuel Okala, Sunday Eboigbe, Bright Omokaro and Best Ogedegbe if he had not been suspended by the Tony Ikhazoboh-headed Nigeria Football Association in 1985.
