Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh is called the
African Guardiola because of his insight to the game,
but the late Stephen Keshi deserves to be called the
African Mourinho.
Guardiola is the perfectionist, the philosopher while
Jose Mourinho is the pragmatist, the defense specialist,
a special one and ego filled psychological genius.
What more could seperate them but the fact that they
have both worked at Barcelona together, then separate;
while Pep led the Catalans and Mourinho their eternal
rivals in Real Madrid.
Guardiola and Mourinho will renewed their rivalry at Old
Trafford in the Manchester Derby which the Spaniard
won
Both are now in England and coaching the country’s
two richest clubs, the historical Manchester United is
led by the Portuguese and ‘noisy neighbours’ led by the
Spaniard.
Similarities between Mourinho and Guardiola are not far
fetched. As with most coaches today, both were once
assistant coaches at one point in their career’s.
But their similarities are more with their personalities
and man management skills. Keshi had his favourites
with the national team, like Mourinho has had with
different players at clubs at different points of his
career.
One perfect example is Super Eagles goalie Chigozie
Agbim. Keshi persisted with the shot stopper despite
the availability of better players.
Preference
The ‘Big Boss’ as late Keshi was fondly called was loyal
to a particular group of players and was not one to
change things dramatically via his line up or his starting
formation for matches.
Late Stephen Keshi
Mourinho almost never changes his line ups or
formations even during matches. The former Real Madrid
coach has persisted with a 4-2-3-1 formation since his
Madrid days, sometimes doing so when he does not
have the players to execute such formation.
Guardiola on the other hand changes thing before,
during and before the next match though he favours a
4-3-3 set up.
Keshi’s principles could be likened to that of Mourinho
Like Mourinho, Keshi was a ‘stubborn’ coach. He rebels
against authorities and is never afraid to say his mind.
What Mourinho is to the FA or UEFA, Keshi is to the
NFF.
With Mourinho’s various run in with authorities think
the number of times Keshi was appointed and sacked as
Super Eagles coach.
Additionally, Keshi is a serial winner like Mourinho is.
The Portuguese achieved the unbelievable with Inter
Milan back in 2010 when he defeated Guardiola’s all
conquering Barcelona side.
Keshi made sure he was not left out by leading the
Super Eagles to 2013 AFCON glory.
He did this despite the fact that the Super Eagles were
unfancied and the NFF reportedly booked a flight back
to Nigeria for the players and coaches before the
quarter-final clash against Ivory Coast which Nigeria
won via a Sunday Mba stunner.
It is safe to say that Keshi deserved more recognition
before he died from the media, fans, and the Federal
Government and to this writer, he would always be the
African Mourinho
