Sunday 5 January 2014
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Super Eagles coach, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Sewnet Bishaw have thrown their weights behind Nigeria’s midfield maestro, Mikel Obi of Chelsea winning the coveted African Player of The Year Award. Both coaches who clashed again weekend in Abuja in a friendly won by Keshi’s boys 2-1 believe time has come for Nigeria to reclaim her glory in African football with one of her players winning the award. The awards are scheduled for Lagos, Nigeria this week.
Bishaw spoke first in his native Ethiopia. “Nigeria was obviously the best football nation in Africa last year and I won’t be surprised if a player from the country emerges the player of the year. They deserve to get the award. I also wish this beautiful stadium is somewhere in Addis Ababa”, he said smiling.
But Keshi believes after waiting this long, it was time for a Nigerian to win the African Footballer of the Year Crown. He said he is rooting for John Mikel Obi to emerge the best among the pack. “It will boost the team and Mikel and all Nigerians because it has been a long time since we last won the award and I know we deserve to win this year”, he said.
Keshi is also nominated in the African Coach of the Year category but revealed his fingers are crossed even though it will be a great honour to be named the best coach on the continent. Keshi who is favoured for the award may not depart with the national team to South Africa tomorrow evening.
