5 Epic ways Keshi made History in Nigeria

As the world continues to mourn the
former Super Eagles Coach Stephen
Keshi, many have chosen to take
solace in the indelible marks Keshi left
first as a player and then as a coach.
Keshi was indeed a pacesetter and a
pioneering achiever in many spheres.
Here five key achievements by the 54-
year-old respected soccer icon.
USA 1994 World Cup
Keshi was Nigeria’s first captain to the
FIFA World Cup. After years of near
misses, Nigeria finally qualified for the
prestigious FIFA World Cup in 1994.
Keshi undoubtedly played a huge role
in that historic feat, playing in six of
the eight qualifying matches.
His man-of-the match exploit in the
decisive away game against Algeria
which ended 1-1 is fresh in the minds
of many. In that game, Keshi
marshalled the Eagles defence and
helped Nigeria break the jinx and
finally feature in football’s biggest
showpiece.
AFCON trophy
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012
Africa Cup of Nations and that saw the
bringing in of Keshi to handle the
national team.
Though the appointment of Keshi was
met with resentment in some quarters,
it turned out to be a worthy choice as
Nigeria’s 19-year AFCON trophy fiasco
was ended by Keshi.
Having first ensured that the Eagles staged a return
to the continental football tournament, Keshi against
all odds went on to mastermind Nigeria’s third
AFCON triumph, beating the likes of Ivory Coast and
Mali en-route being crowned as African champions
for the third time. Earlier AFCON wins were
achieved with expatriate coaches.
Togo at World Cup
Keshi took his trade across the border to Togo
where he shocked the world, qualifying the Hawks
of Togo for their first ever world cup tournament in
2006.
He was able to achieve this enviable feat despite his
team being tagged underdogs in their qualifying
group. Keshi qualified Togo for Germany 2006
against all odds from a group that consisted of bigger
teams like Senegal, Mali and teams like Liberia,
Congo and Zambia.
Sadly Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup that
same year, after losing out to Angola.
Nigeria 2014 CHAN qualification
After failing to make the first two editions of the
African Nations Champions in 2009 and 2011 in Cote
d’Ivoire and Sudan respectively, Keshi made another
first as he led the home-based Eagles to the 2014
edition in South Africa for the very first time.
To secure a place to the 2014 CHAN, the home-based
Eagles overcame Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 on aggregate in the
final round of the qualifiers.
With gallant display, Nigeria narrowly missed out on
making it to the finals in their maiden appearance
and settled for Bronze after beating Zimbabwe in
their place game
Nigeria’s first World Cup win
Prior to the Super Eagles group games at the Brazil
2014 World Cup, victories by the country’s national
team at the World Cup came under expatriates,
namely, Clemence Westerhof and Bora Milotinovic
(Westerhof, USA 1994:3-0 against Bulgaria, 2-0
against Greece and Milotinovic, France 1998: 3-2
against Spain, 1-0 against Bulgaria).
But against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a goal from Osaze
Odemwingie, secured a 1-0 win for the Eagles. The
goal was the Eagles’ fifth overall since making their
debut in 1994.