Former Nigeria International Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha has disclosed that head coach Stephen Keshi used discipline and belief in himself to turn around the fortunes of the country's senior national team, the Super Eagles.
The Nigerian team, which was not a pre-tournament favourite, stunned bookmakers by reaching the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, to be played Sunday night in Johannesburg against Burkina Faso.
'Discipline and belief - those are two things that stand out,' said in an interview with the official website of the African soccer's governing body, CAF.
'That is what Keshi has brought to this team. He has injected his own mentality – from his days as a player. He is winner, he always want to win, he is a perfectionist. He is a person who pays attention to details and he makes sure everyone knows what he wants. He has done a very good job in a very short period,' said Okocha, who is in South Africa for the tournament.
He said he is proud of the Nigerian team, especially since the country has waited 13 years to reach the final of the two-yearly tournament.
'I’m really proud to be a Nigerian right now, this is where every team wants to be and we are in the final. So far the team has done well. We have been taking a lot of stick in the last few years and a lot has been said. This team has done very well.
'Nobody expected this team to do this well, we are looking forward to the final but we know it is not done yet. Having got to this stage now, we have to give everything to win it,' Okocha said.
Pana 10/02/2013