BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

Stephen Keshi has always known that coaching the Eagles was not only an uphill task but also one that would always put him on the spotlight.  It comes with heavy pressure.  He knew this but now he even knows more. Highly placed Nigerians who have been calling to advise and wish him well have reawakened him the more.  And he has repeatedly said “I have no option than to succeed.”

Astute sports journalist Mitchell Obi approached Keshi in Abuja in the presence of this Reporter and said these words: “You should know that you are the last Bus Stop for indig enous coaches.

If you fail, it means nobody will support any call for indigenous coaches any more. Our football has turned to ashes and like the phoenix you have to revive it again. You must start from the scratch for a new beginning but note that you are the last Bus Stop and if you fail everything dies with it. But we know that you can make it.”

Keshi  thanked Mitchell, acknowledged the enormous challenges but said “I’m at the head but all Nigerians have a role to play and that I will rely strongly on the support of all. The stakeholders, the media, the football administrators, the fans and the critics, everybody has a role to play. I’m determined to succeed. One thing I can assure you all is that the coaching, the field work will be done well.

If it’s coaching, leave that for me and my crew. This job of coaching, I know it. Believe me I know it and I’ll give my all to this job. Let everybody play his role for we will do the coaching job well.”