Glo-CAF Awards: I’m Inspired by my Nomination

Glo-CAF Award’s Coach of the Year nominee, Stephen Keshi has described his nomination as an inspiration to aim for greater achievements, especially as he leads the Togolese national team to the World Cup in Germany this summer.

Keshi, a former captain of the Nigeria national team, spoke at the Dream Hilton Hotel in 6th October City, Cairo where the Togo national team were quartered before their early exit from the on-going Africa Cup of Nations.

On an afternoon his team rested from the competition rigours, Keshi recalled how he was sacked alongside Amodu Shuabu after leading Nigeria to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and philosophically retorted, “When a door is shut in your face, look back for many openings await you. You see, it has always been my dream that one day I will be named the best coach in Africa but I never expected it this soon. It is very encouraging and a milestone for me in my short career as football coach”.

Keshi would not want to be drawn into analysing his chances of clinching the award, nor would he want to compare his achievements with others in the race. He however commended organisers of the award, the Confederation of African Football and the sponsor, Globacom Limited for working together to promote African football.

Speaking further on his nomination, Keshi submitted, “it is a good thing that CAF is recognising those who are contributing to the development of the game in Africa, both as players, coaches and administrators. It will always create an atmosphere of good competition especially when the process is seen to be transparent and without bias. I also congratulate Globacom… it is indeed heart-warming that a Nigerian company can do this for African football. It is not only good for our football but for the image of Nigeria. I hope football administrators in the country will appreciate the contributions of the company and make the game more rewarding in our country”.

Other nominees for the Glo-CAF Coach of the Year Award are Jose Manuel of CAF Champions League winners, Al Ahly Club, Egypt and Fakhir Mohamed who led ASFAR of Morocco to win the Confederation Cup in 2005. The ceremonies of the Glo-CAF Awards will hold on February 16 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Samuel Eto’O of Cameroon, Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana’s Michael Essien are in the race for the coveted title of Glo-CAF Player of the Year.