Keshi Gets Benin Royal Blessings, Challenge

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, stepped out to be counted among great sons of the Benin Empire, when he was hosted by His Royal Majesty, Omo ‘N Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediuawa 11, in his palace in Benin City on Friday.

Keshi, who said he was overwhelmed by the event had gone to seek royal blessing from the Oba, in the course of steering the ship of the Nigerian national team.

At the end of the day, the Oba, blessed him and recounted as if it was yesterday, what Keshi meant to Bendel State football of yore and Nigerian football of today.

Keshi, who was accompanied by former Super Eagles Coach, Shuaibu Amodu, ex-Eagles Assistant Coach, Lawrence Akpokona and a couple of other younger teammates, was later challenged by the Oba to bring back the glory of Nigerian football.

“The Oba challenged us, not only me to bring back the glory of Nigerian football, which was what he experienced when we were playing.

He told me stories of 25 years ago and I begin to wonder if there is any traditional ruler who follows football like him, but what I have assured him is that with his blessing it’s certain that we have returned to the glory days half-way already. The rest will be seen when the action on the pitch proper starts.