Head Coach Stephen Keshi

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, surprised players and officials of the team on Tuesday afternoon, when he called on each of them to come pick up a surprise gifts that were shipped all the way down from the United States.

Each of the players got the latest brand of Nike boots, while the officials got sparkling canvass shoes each of the same brand. When probed about the surprise gifts, Keshi said he was motivating the players and officials for a job so far well done and to prepare them for the task of qualifying the country for the Nations Cup next year in South Africa and the World Cup in Brazil 2014.

Team Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun, said there could not have been a better way to motivate the coaching and backroom staff as well as the players than what Keshi has done.

“As a professional psychologist, I must say kudos to Keshi for this because even myself has been positively psyched up,” he said.

Similarly, Keshi has joined the national team goalkeeper’s trainer, Ike Shorunmi, to hail the moves by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Ikechukwu Uche. He had earlier praised Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, on his successful transfer to Turkish side, Fernabahce from Everton FC of England.

Shorunmu had earlier said the move was the best for the Nigerian number one as he needs regular club action if he’s to remain relevant in the national team scheme of things. Keshi spoke in a similar vein, declaring that he was happy for his first choice goalie and expect it to show in Eagles upcoming games.

On Uche, who dropped from the Spanish La Liga to the Segunda Division with his side club side Villareal FC, Keshi said no matter the division, he needs his top players to be playing regular football.

“Its better Uche plays week in, week out in Villareal than join Real Madrid and be on the bench for the entire season, that is my take on his move,” he said.