10th February, 2012
Pleasant surprises are gradually becoming the hallmark in the camp of the Super Eagles located at the Bolton White Apartment in Wuse Zone 7 of the nation’s capital.
One of such happened on Thursday night at dinner time, when players and officials walked into the dining hall to find a beautifully made cake with the number 4, the national colours and a boot on it with the inscription: ‘Happy Birthday To SOK.
It immediately generated interest as that initials simply translates to Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, whom it would be recalled marked his birthday on January 23, but was unfortunately out of the country on other assignments.
As tongues kept wagging, smart officials and players were already congratulating the ‘Big Boss’ and he smiled away, acknowledging all and thus began what was to be a mini-party, though without the usual beverages.
Just the dinner and the beautiful cake. Keshi was to declare later that he felt duty bound to mark his 50th birthday while his team are in camp because they have been bringing him joy.
“My wife and children had expected that we will mark my golden jubilee together but national duty calls and here I am. I could not also mark it on that day because the team were not in camp and I was also away from the country.
“So this is an opportunity to say a big thank you to God and to the Super Eagles for attaining the golden age”.
“This is the national team of Nigeria and I’m honoured to be the Head Coach, the best birthday gift I demand from you is to always win the matches we have ahead of us and I can assure you money will surely come.
“There are millionaires and billionaires out there expecting victory from you, so that they can bless you with their money. Lets make Nigerians happy again by winning all our games and get blessed”.
The birthday cake was then cut by Keshi after the spelling of is surname and shared among players and officials before they retired to bed.