Shortly after Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4-2 at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa, head coach, Stephen Keshi cut the figure of a very happy and relieved man.
He had come under intense criticism after his team underperformed horribly against Mali in the opening game. Defeat against Mozambique would have spelt the end for the Super Eagles at the CHAN and the critics would have predictably been out in full force.
Nigeria won and Keshi smiled. He told the assembled media afterwards that: “I prime my work on the mental (aspect), which I do all the time…”.
Dr. Robinson Okosun is the hardworking psychologist of the Super Eagles whose invaluable work behind the scenes helps Keshi get the players in the right shape, mentally for the big games.
Okosun has worked with stellar names like Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie and was also part of the Super Eagles backroom staff as Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Okosun is currently with the Nigeria squad as they try to reach the quarterfinals of the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.
He sat down with supersport.com and made startling revelations about Okocha, Kanu, Keshi, his love for piety and some of the best football moments in Nigeria’s football history.
Who inspired you the most?
My parents. I came from a very poor background and my parents were not very educated.
My father, who dropped out of school, told me that I must work hard if I did not want to suffer in future. He did everything to see that I had the best education.
The best advice you have ever received?
Professor Femi Owolabi, who is now a lecturer in Botswana advised me to take education seriously.
I listened to him and I have not regretted it. He’s very proud of me today.
Are you a good cook?
No, I am not and my wife cheats me a lot because of this.
My father once saw me in the kitchen with my elder sister when I was much younger. He screamed and asked me never to go there (kitchen) again as cooking was for women.
That aside, the nature of my job makes it impossible to do any kind of cooking because I am always travelling from one country to another.
If you were not involved in football….
I would have been a pastor. I love counselling people.
When I gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study Chemistry, my love for sports and charisma shone through.
I was always advising my fellow students, even my seniors.
I must also give credit to one of my former tutors, Professor Faboya who advised me to study Psychology.
What three songs do you listen to the most in your i-pod?
I love gospel music. When I was a young man, I listened to the great Sunny Okosun a lot.
Maybe the fact that we share the same name helps (laughs).
I also respect Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He was a great philosopher and saw what a lot of people did not see.
I love songs that help me meditate and stay calm.
If you were to choose one lady to go out on the date with, who would it be?
You may find this difficult to believe but that lady will be my wife.
Back then in school, I had about 27 girlfriends and was largely perceived to be a ladies’ man.
I was very popular because I was into television presentation with former Nigerian international, Segun Odegbami and FIFA instructor, Paul Bassey.
My wife was initially scared to date me because of that but I never let go because she’s so quiet, humble and responsible – the traits I was looking out for in my future wife.
It took three years of “serious toasting” (wooing) to get her to say yes and the attraction is still strong.
Best holiday destination
I will always go for Miami in the United States. I read a lot of James Hardly Chase novels when I was younger and there were so many stories about Miami and its beautiful beaches.
I always wanted to visit the city and I am pleased I eventually did, last year.
Your happiest memory?
That was when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.
I was also team psychologist then and Amodu Shuaibu was the coach while Keshi was the assistant.
Tell me about your friendship with Okocha.
When I was named the team psychologist, I knew I needed the support of the senior players to succeed so during a national assignment, I went to the room of Jay Jay and asked to speak with him.
I told him I would need his support as he was the captain of the national team. He took me round the camp and introduced me to all the players.
Meeting individuals like Taribo West, Julius Aghahowa, Kanu Nwankwo, Sunday Oliseh and the others was really important at that stage of my professional life.
Mutiu Adepoju also assisted me a lot because I played football with him in Ibadan when I was younger.
I got along with all of them and I must thank them for helping me settle.
….and your worst memory?
That was when we failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
I felt we let the people down.
If your house was on fire, what one possession would you rescue?
After my family, it would be my Holy Bible.
My certificates and credentials are also important to me.
What makes you smile?
(smiles) I just recalled an incident happened in 2000. I was part of the Nigerian football team as an administrator at the Olympic Games in Sydney.
We were scheduled to visit the Mayor of Sydney. I went with the coach, Bonfrere Johannes and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Tijani Yusuf.
I was chauffeur-driven by a white man – the same people my father worshipped – and that was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life. I was shedding tears all through the journey. It was a moving moment.
And what makes you frown?
Whenever I fail myself, I get disappointed. I also like helping the less privileged and it breaks my heart when I fail to do that.
