Keshi Was Key to Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON Glory — Onazi

Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has paid glowing tribute to late coach Stephen Keshi, describing him as the central figure behind Nigeria’s historic triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
Speaking in a recent interview, Onazi reflected on Nigeria’s third AFCON title, won in South Africa, noting that Keshi’s leadership, discipline, and belief in the players laid the foundation for the team’s success.
According to Onazi, Keshi trusted home-based and relatively unknown players at a time many doubted their quality, insisting that commitment, unity, and national pride mattered more than reputation.
“Keshi believed in us when many people didn’t,” Onazi said. “He gave young players confidence and made us believe we could compete with the best in Africa.”
The former Lazio midfielder added that Keshi fostered a strong team spirit within the Super Eagles, ensuring discipline on and off the pitch while maintaining close relationships with his players.
Nigeria went on to defeat Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final, ending a 19-year wait for continental glory and cementing Keshi’s legacy as one of the country’s most successful football figures.
Onazi also stressed that lessons from the 2013 AFCON victory — unity, discipline, and faith in local talent — remain crucial for the current Super Eagles as they continue their quest for success on the continental stage.
Stephen Keshi, fondly known as the “Big Boss,” remains the only Nigerian to have won the AFCON both as a player and as a coach, a feat that continues to earn him admiration years after his passing.