Keshi hits 51, shelves celebrations for Afcon

By Tony Ubani
SUPER Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, was a year older on Wednesday, January 23, as he turned 51 years old.

In fact, most officials and players of the team were oblivious of his birthday as at lunch time as he went about the business of the day as if nothing mattered. Last year, he also marked his birthday while the team was in camp in Abuja preparing for the qualifiers for the ongoing Nations Cup.

Occasionally, people called from far and near to wish him luck and success in life but he kept it under raps, wishing as he told close camp confidants to celebrate after the Afcon 2013 championship, especially if it comes to a glittering end for Nigeria. “There may be a minor birthday song for him at dinner time but nothing serious will happen until we achieve our aim here in the Nations Cup”, a source hinted.

Meanwhile, national team’s midfield talisman, John Mikel Obi, has said he has started dreaming of the 2013 trophy for Nigeria after a long trophyless time for the two-time African champions.

“We may have drawn our first game but we need to settle down and forget it and concentrate and I can see us smiling home with the trophy at the end of the day”, he said during Tuesday’s evening training session.