We consider the lives and careers of naija sports most important sports personalities. This week, we take a look at Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was born on the 23rd day of January 1962. He has been the head coach of the Nigerian national team since 2011 and was a former football defender. He is the 2nd person ever to have won the Africa Cup Of Nations both as a player and as a coach, the other being Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary (d. 1938).

Keshi spent a large chunk of his playing career in Nigeria, then in Belgium, before opting for a coaching course in the United States. His romance with Nigerian teams is as far back as 2001 when he was head coach for the Junior Eagles at the 2001 African Youth Championship.

He led the Togo national football team from 2004 to 2006, unexpectedly securing their place in the Germany 2006 World Cup. He was replaced before the World Cup but worked with Togo for a short stint later. He later became the boss of the Mali National Team between 2008 and 2010 but was sacked when he failed to progress beyond the group stages.

Keshi became the Nigerian National team coach in 2011 and qualified the team for the Orange African Cup of Nations 2013. The Super Eagles went ahead to win the trophy the first time in 19years.

For this he was greatly rewarded with a brand new 2013 Range Rover, the latest Toyota Camry, a house in Abuja, Glo ambassadorship and $200, 000 cash.

His tenure has been controversial with personal attacks on his coaching style and even a surprise resignation a day after the AFCON finals due to ongoing disputes with the Nigerian Football Association. His stellar track record (imminent World Cup qualification, African Champions etc) continue to put him in good stead and solidify his reputation. He continues to lead the Super Eagles