Google Honours Stephen Keshi

Google today celebrates Nigerian football icon Stephen Keshi, on the occasion of his 56th birthday. The technology firm honoured the former Super Eagles Captain on its doodle.

Doodle is a special logo on Google’s homepage that is temporarily alternated and intended to celebrate holidays, events, achievements and people.

Born in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria, Keshi was a member of the famed St. Finbarrs College Football Academy of 1977.

He was later called up and played for the Junior Eagles and the Super Eagles in preparation for the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

Google said football took Keshi all over the world, as he played across Africa, Europe, and the US. Known affectionately as “Big Boss”, he was beloved as a player for the national team, where he earned over 60 caps, each for an appearance in an international match, and representing the country at the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

After his great success as a player, Keshi moved into the next phase of his career: coaching. When the “Big Boss” became coach of the Togo national team, he brought his trademark passion with him.

Against the odds, Keshi lead Togo all the way to a qualifying spot in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He achieved his personal dream in 2011, when he became the national coach, cementing his place in African (and world) football history.

Coaching the Nigerian team, Keshi won the African Cup of Nations in 2013, and in 2014 became the first coach of an African nation to make it to the knockout round of a World Cup. Keshi is one of only two men to win the Nations Cup as both a player and manager, a testament to his wit, talent, and love for the sport.