What was Stephan keshi's contributed to the Nigeria's sport

Answer 1

Stephen Keshi made several significant contributions to Nigerian sport, particularly in football.

1. Coach of the Nigerian National Team: Keshi served as the head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, from 2011 to 2015. Under his leadership, Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations in 2013, defeating Burkina Faso in the final. It was Nigeria's first Nations Cup victory in 19 years, and Keshi became only the second person to win the trophy both as a player and as a coach.

2. World Cup Qualification: Keshi successfully guided Nigeria to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Nigeria had a strong performance in the tournament, reaching the round of 16 before being eliminated by France. It was Nigeria's best World Cup performance since USA '94.

3. Development of local talent: Keshi emphasized the importance of developing local talent and giving opportunities to young Nigerian players. He encouraged the inclusion of home-based players in the national team, resulting in the emergence of talented local players who would go on to represent Nigeria at various levels.

4. Mentoring and inspiration: Keshi's achievements as a player and coach served as inspiration for young footballers in Nigeria. His success helped promote the belief that Nigerians could achieve greatness in the sport, motivating many young players to pursue their football dreams.

5. African Football Icon: Keshi's contribution to Nigerian sport also extended beyond his coaching role. He was regarded as an icon of African football, representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage. His success and influence helped raise the profile of Nigerian football and contribute to the growth and development of the sport in the country.