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Remembering Nigerian Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (23 January 1962 – 8 June 2016), A Nigerian Sports Icon.

Nigeria football legend Stephen Keshi has died suddenly at the age of 54.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was a Nigerian football defender. He was also a football manager of the Nigeria national team.

Died: June 8, 2016, Benin City
Height: 1.85 m
Spouse: Kate Keshi (m. ?–2015)
Teams coached: Togo national football team (Head Coach, 2011–2011),
Awards: CAF Coach of the Year, CAF Legend award


The Chairman of the Edo State Football Association (EFA), Frank Ilaboya, confirmed on Wednesday that the remains of former Super Eagle’s coach, Stephen Keshi, had been moved to a mortuary in Benin.

The privately-owned mortuary, Faith Mediplex, is located on the Benin Airport road in the Edo State capital.

Mr. Ilaboya quoted Mr. Keshi’s faimily member, Ricky Aburimen, as saying the Eagle’s former coach only complained of a leg ailment while holidaying at his Airport road home in Benin before he passed away.

He said Mr. Keshi died on the way to hospital at about 3 am.

The ex- international lost his wife , Nkem Kate Keshi only last December. They had been married for more than 30 years. She died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Mr. Keshi is survived by four children and his mother.

Meanwhile, a statement on the coaches death had been released by Emmanuel Ado, brother and aide to the late Mr. Keshi, said: “With thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, announces the death of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi’.

“Our son, brother, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem ), Mrs. Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th December 2015.


Former Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, died before he arrived Faith Mediplex, the hospital he was rushed to on Tuesday night, his brother in-law, Richard Aburime, has said.

The former captain and coach of the senior national died at the age of 54 on Tuesday.

Narrating Mr. Keshi’s last days on earth to journalists in Benin, the Edo State capital on Wednesday, Mr. Aburime said the late coach had a history of leg pains following years of successful professional football, which was usually managed with massaging.

He said following his last complains and subsequent massaging, Mr. Keshi’s body system and health suddenly degenerated as a result of which he was at about 11.30pm rushed to the hospital, which is about 20 minutes’ drive from his residence at Giwa Amu area of Government Reserved Area in Benin City.

“He had complained of pains in his leg for some days and they kept massaging it for him. When he complained of it yesterday, they massaged it for him again,” Mr. Aburime recounted.

“About one and half hours after the massaging, he was in serious distress and was gasping for breath. That was how we rushed him to the hospital, a distance of about 20 minutes.”

“But by the time he arrived at the hospital, the doctor certified him dead on arrival. That was between 11:30 and 11:45 pm.”

“It was the nurse that first came out. She checked for pulse‎ and said there was no more pulse in him. Doctors later came and do all the stuffs they do; but nothing came out of it.”

Reacting to reports that Mr. Keshi died of cardiac arrest, Mr. Aburime cautioned the media against speculating on what killed the coach.

He said only a proper toxicological autopsy to be conducted would determine the actual cause of the death of the late skipper of Super Eagles.

Mr. Aburime said after the doctors confirmed Mr. Keshi dead, they could not issue any report or present any death certificate because the late coach was not a patient of the hospital.

He said, “After the confirmation, as he was not a patient of the hospital, they could not write any report or present any death certificate. They said we must bring the police. So, the police came to inspect the body.

“I am about to take the corpse to Stella Obasanjo Hospital now, pending the autopsy the family wants to do. Dr. Wilson Akhiwu will conduct the autopsy.”

“There is no official statement as to the cause of his death. There will be no embalming. It was sudden and we don’t want anybody to speculate.

“That massage on his leg had taken one hour before the distress. There was no sign of ill-health (before) and Keshi had not complained recently.”

He assured that the autopsy report from qualified doctors would be made public at a press conference befitting Mr. Keshi’s status.

Meanwhile, family sources said the late footballer was scheduled to travel to the United States of America on Wednesday to visit his children, a plan which has now been aborted by his sudden death.

A cousin of the late coach, Ebuka Ofuoni, who is said to have lived with him from his childhood, said Mr. Keshi’s death is not only shocking but also a great loss to the family, his community and his country and the entire football world.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, described Mr. Keshi’s death as a great loss
In a tribute, the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, described Mr. Keshi’s death as a great loss to the nation and to Edo State, where he was resident.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, the governor described the late coach as a thoroughbred professional, complete gentleman, and a good citizen who impacted positively on his immediate environment where he lived a quiet life.

“On behalf of the Government and People of Edo State, I join millions of Nigerians and other sports lovers worldwide to condole with my brother, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on the sudden death of this illustrious son of the state,” the statement said.

“He was a thoroughbred professional, a complete gentleman and a good citizen of Edo State where he lived quietly and peaceably with his neighbours before he gave in to the cold hands of death. His death is most painful not only to football lovers but to those whose lives he impacted positively.”

“While we mourn Keshi, we celebrate his many contributions in bringing joy to millions of homes across the nation and the world with his football skills which were honed during his days as a player with the defunct New Nigerian Bank (NNB) of Benin.”

“His name will undoubtedly be written in gold as a great Nigerian Ambassador who brought glory to the country and left an indelible mark in the sands of time.”

“I pray that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

The Edo State Football Association, Gives Tribute
The Edo State Football Association, in its tribute, described Mr. Keshi’s death as a devastating blow to the entire football community in Nigeria.

“It is so devastating. At about 2am today (Wednesday),” its chairman, Frank Ilaboya, said.

“Keshi is someone that we all love. We all know him as the ‘Big Boss’. He is one player and a coach that is respected and will be missed.”

“As a person, he was very unique. As a captain, he was very exceptional. As a coach, he was the only one that has won the Nations Cup as a player and as a coach. His death is a big ‎vacuum in Nigeria, especially Delta and Edo States.”

“It is a vacuum in the football community. We thought that he was going to do more for Nigeria. But we cannot question God. What do we do? We pray that his soul rests in perfect peace.”

The EFA boss also narrated how he got the news about the demise of the coach.

He said, “I got a call from a US-based coach Dr. Terry Eguaoje that I should confirm what was happening to Keshi‎.

“At that time, I didn’t know what was happening. So, I quickly established contact with the in-law, Richard Aburimen, who told me that it was true. I was shocked.”

“He said that he (Keshi) was having a leg pain. They needed to do a massage. At a point, he said that his eyes were turning. By the time they took him to the hospital, he was dead before he got to the hospital.”

“To the best of my knowledge, I never knew that he was sick. That was why I said that it was so shocking. I know that he used to having this leg pain; may be, because of his playing days‎. But that is all I know,” Mr Ilaboya recalled.

Keshi’s former teammate and bosom friend, Augustine Eguavoen, described the late coach as “an achiever and a go-getter”.

“Aside being my team mate in the national team, Keshi and I have remained close brothers for years,” Mr. Eguavoen, who was Captain of Super Eagles, said in tears.

In his tribute, a former member of the Super Eagles, Edema Fuludu said, “We all know him as a good leader. He goes for what he believes in. He was very enthusiastic about Nigeria and football and he was never negatively minded. I am shocked and yet to come to term with this sad news.”

“He made us to believe that we can achieve whatever we want to achieve only if we set our mind on it. It is a sad loss to us all.”

The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, called for a national burial for Mr. Keshi, saying he deserved the honour as “a patriotic citizen.”

NFF president Says

One of African football's best-known figures, the ex-Super Eagles captain is one of only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick: "This is devastating. We have lost a superhero."

Keshi, who is reported to have suffered a heart attack by local media. also managed Togo and Mali, while his playing career included a spell with Belgian club side Anderlecht.

Sunday Oliseh, a former team-mate and Keshi's successor as Nigeria coach, tweeted his shock at the "horrible news" and called Keshi "an iconic hero".

Other tributes are being paid from around the world.
Keshi skippered the Nigeria team that won the Nations Cup in 1994 before narrowly missing out on a World Cup quarter-final place the same year.

He coached the Super Eagles on three occasions, leading them to the 2013 Nations Cup title in South Africa and the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup.

His contract was not renewed after the Brazil tournament but he returned on a match-by-match deal following the team's failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup finals.

He was then sacked as caretaker coach but reinstated after intervention from then Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan.

Keshi, who lost his wife to cancer late last year, was then sacked for a final time last July.

Ubah mourns Keshi, says Nigeria lost a football iconThe Managing Director, Capital Oil Plc and Founder/President FC Ifeanyi Ubah. 
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has commiserated with the family of late former Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, who passed on Wednesday morning. Keshi Ubah, who said, his heart brimmed with grief when he heard the heartbreaking news of Keshi’s demise, however, described him as a man who lived an exemplary life, adding that Nigeria has lost a football icon. The oil magnate in a statement said: “My heart brimmed with grief when the heartbreaking news of the Big Boss’ demise filtered through my ears. Words failed me and still fail me as I struggle to express the sadness I felt when I received the news Stephen Keshi’s glorious exit. The cold hands of death just served us a distasteful meal! “Today, I mourn a man who lived a fulfilled and exemplary life; and as a key member of the football family, I mourn the departure of one of us, an icon in Nigerian football. I mourn a friend and a man that I always related with and looked up to with respect to issues on growth and development of football in Nigeria. “We have lost a man we needed so much in a time where all efforts are geared towards repositioning Nigeria football. The Big Boss has left us when his wealth of experience was needed the most in the football sector of this country. It will be hard to talk about Nigerian football without a mention of “Stephen Keshi”, a man we had expected to remain here with us for a long time to come so that we could continue to tap from his wealth of experience. Nigeria will miss you! Anambra state football family will miss you! “In this time of bereft, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the Keshis. It must be a very agonizing period for his children and other members of his family who are still in excruciating pains over the demise of their mother and wife who passed onto higher glory just a few months ago. I sincerely sympathize with every one of you. My earnest prayer is that the memories of all the happy times shared with him, will in the fullness of time, ease the hurt and grief that you all feel as a result of the bereavement. I also pray that the good Lord in his infinite mercies, grants every one of you the peace and fortitude to bear the immeasurable loss. “To fellow Nigerians and fans of Keshi worldwide who feel must feel aggrieved at this irreparable loss, may the promise contained in the “8 Beatitudes of Christ” which bestows blessings of comfort on all those who mourn as stated in Mathew 5:4 be true to us all in Jesus name…Amen! “To my brother and friend, Stephen Keshi, may the good Lord grant your beautiful soul a peaceful repose in his bosom. Adieu, THE BIG BOSS! Rest in peace!”

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (23 January 1962 – 8 June 2016)
Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was born in 23 January 1962 and died on the 8th of June 2016. Keshi was married to his wife Kate (née Abureme) for 33 years. She died on 10 December 2015, after battling cancer for three years. They had four children. Kesh’s playing career started at ACB Football Club, and later played for New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg. He was also a football manager of the Nigeria national team and also coached in Togo and Mali. Late Keshi He was one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach Keshi became coach of the Nigerian National Team in 2011. In 2013 Keshi led Super Eagles Nigeria to qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, which they won by defeating Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final. Also Keshi led Super Eagles Nigeria to the 2013 Confederations Cup, were they defeated Tahiti 6–1, and lost 1–2 to Uruguay in the second game, and also lost 0–3 to World Cup winners, Spain in their final group game. On 16 November 2013, Keshi’s Super Eagles secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup by beating Ethiopia 4–1 on aggregate in a play-off. On 18 November 2013, Stephen keshi set a record in African football by being the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup Finals. He also helped Nigeria become the first country to achieve an African Cup of Nations trophy and World Cup qualification, both in 2013. On 25 June 2014, Keshi’s Super Eagles progressed to the knockout stage of 2014 World Cup. They started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Iran, followed by a controversial 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They lost the final group stage match 2-3 against Argentina, but progressed to the knockout stage, courtesy of a 3-1 win by Bosnia and Herzegovina over Iran. Keshi, went to Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, He represented Nigeria from 1982, at age 20, till 1994, most of the time captaining the Super Eagles and scoring vital goals from his position as a central defender.

Keshi has gone to meet his wife – Emma Ado
Following the shocking news of the death of Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, one time coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria, Emmanuel Ado his brother and manager in Nigeria has said that the Big Boss, which was Keshi’s nickname, has gone to meet his wife. Keshi died at the early hours of Wednesday in Benin at an undisclosed hospital. Keshi with his late wife Kate. Emma Ado said that Keshi who was in Nigeria to attend to the grave side of his wife never recovered form the death Kate Keshi. It will be recalled that Kate (née Abureme) died of cancer in December 2015, and they were married for 33 years. Keshi with his late wife Kate. Ado said ‘Keshi never recovered from the death of Kate they were inseparateable. He has gone to meet Kate’ ‘Since the wife died Keshi has kept on mourning and has been in sorrow. All these time Keshi has been acting, giving the impression that he was fine and man enough to bear the sorrow but the truth actually is that he was down and in pain over the death of his wife. ‘From companionship to cooking and other domestic matters nobody could be like his wife to him they were irreplaceable. The man just went to join her’ According to reports the wife, Kate made Keshi a responsible man and Keshi was always talking about her. Also Sunday Oliseh, Keshi’s for teammate and ‏former coach of the Super Eagles, who took over after Keshi was axed as the Super Eagles coach, has described the news of the death of Keshi as horrible and sad. Oliseh ‏on his twitter handle @SundayOOliseh said ‘Horrible news & Sad day as Our legendary Captain & brother Stephen Keshi dies.May his blessed soul rest in peace.we lost an iconic Hero today. Another of Keshi’sfriend who spoke on condition of anonymity said “He was not ill at all, never showed any signs of illness, but we suspect he never got over the death of his wife,”.

The world mourns Keshi as Ghana fly flag at half mast
GHANA Football Association has paid tributes to the late Nigerian coach and footballer, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. Late Keshi GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi sent a message of condolence to the Nigeria Football Federation and its President, Amaju Pinnick. He describes Keshi a great man and a noble spirit, whose shining example of dedication to football and to footballers was not only to dedicated Nigeria but to several countries including Ghana. He says the flags at the GFA headquarters will be flying at half-mast as a token of the Ghana football fraternity’s deepest respect for Stephen Keshi. We lost an icon – Amanze Uchegbulam former Vice President, NFF “Big shock that Keshi is gone. Keshi was an icon of Nigerian football. Nobody can talk about Nigerian football without talking about Keshi. He died too early. It’s unfortunate we lost him. “Keshi played his part, both as player and coach; won trophies for this country.” Keshi was a Pillar of Nigerian football —Paul Bassey, Chairman Akwa United “We spoke last week and he never gave an indication of a man who had just one week to live. Keshi was a true Pillar of Nigerian football, a big loss indeed. Although he was no longer the coach of the national team, Nigeria will surely miss Keshi”. It’s unfortunate – Kojo Former chairman of the defunct Nigeria Football Association Kojo Williams has described the death of Stephen Keshi as unfortunate. “It’s unfortunate. It’s a sad day for Nigerian football. I can’t comprehend. Too bad. Keshi did his best for Nigerian football. It’s sad the country is losing him now. Too bad. This world is absolutely nothing – Barrister Obienu One time member of the Nigeria Football Association, Nwabufor Obienu was so crestfallen when he heard of the sudden demise of Nigeria’s iconic football personality Stephen Keshi that he exclaimed, “this world is nothing”. He said it was hard to believe that Keshi was dead. “I cried when I first heard the news. He shouldn’t have died now. This world is absolutely nothing. It is vanity.” Keshi called me last week – Okpala Former Super Eagles assistant coach under Keshi, Sylvanus Okpala has revealed his last moment with his former boss, saying, “what shocked me most was that we spoke last week when he called me to ask after my family and how we were doing. “We discussed very well and he sounded very happy. He said he was happy now that he was living a quiet life as he entered the country without much noise. He joked about his new life. “I still can’t get over the shock,” Okpala said.

Do you mean that Keshi is dead? – Chukwu
Lagos – Some Nigerian former football players have expressed shock over the death of ex-Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, 54, who died in the early hours of Wednesday. The ex-international, who had captained the national team, died in Benin while being taken to hospital after he complained of an illness. Late Keshi Christian Chukwu, who captained the Green Eagles to win Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, shockingly said that “I can’t believe this news; do you mean that Keshi is dead? Recollecting himself, Chukwu said that “Keshi is a legend whose foresight placed him ahead of his peers. “This is terrible news. We have lost a legend who contributed a lot to the growth of the game in the country. “As a player, he started so early and captained the junior and senior teams. “Keshi was one of the first Nigerian exports to play in Europe from where he opened the way for other players,’’ he said. Chukwu recalled with nostalgia what he called the memorable days of the late football icon when in 1994 he led the Super Eagles to win the African Cup of Nations for the second time. “He repeated the same feat after 19 years when in 2013, as a coach, he led the Eagles to lift the Nation’s Cup, a feat that has been achieved by only two Africans. “Keshi deserves a befitting burial and his death should not be linked to the controversy at the Glass House,’’ Chukwu said. Keshi’s former backroom staff and teammate, Sylvanus Okpala said that he has yet to believe the news until he hears from Keshi’s brother. “I don’t believe this news, when I get through to his brother, then I will believe this,’’ he said Also, former teammate, Mutiu Adepoju, described his demise as very sad. “Not long ago he lost his wife, it’s very sad news; it’s not palatable at all, he left his mark which will be with us forever,’’ he said. Nduka Ugbade, a former Super Eagles defender, sais that he assumed it was a wicked rumour. “Its very strange, when I first heard the news, I thought it was a rumour, but this is not April, it is not the first day in April when you can say April fool. “I’m confused, I don’t know what to say, that a vibrant young man is gone so sudden places a great burden upon our hearts. “I can’t say rest in peace; it’s a great shock. I’m in Brilla FM hoping this news will turn out to be a lie,’’ he said. Ndubuisi Okosieme, a former player, also said he was shocked by the news. “Are you serious, I’m just hearing this; I can’t believe this; is he dead? Never heard of any ailment, this is sad,’’ he said.

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Keshi
FORMER President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, under whom former Super Eagles skipper and manager won the 2013 Nations Cup for Nigeria, has described the late football star as an inspirational figure, great patriot and worthy ambassador for Nigeria. Jonathan who stated this in a tribute to the football icon also described Keshi as a dedicated and inspirational sportsman who led his nation to win the prestigious continental football trophy at great moments, both as captain and coach. The statement signed by Ikechukwu Eze, the former President’s media adviser said further: “Keshi was driven by a high sense of patriotism and dedication which motivated him to always ply his craft from the front, leading his nation to win the prestigious continental football trophy at pivotal moments, both as captain and coach. I still keep a personal recollection of the time I received the 2013 Nation’s Cup from victorious Keshi and his team on behalf of all Nigerians. It was a moment of pride and strength for the entire country. Keshi was, in deed, a trail blazer who brought glory and honour to his country, nurtured the beautiful game of football to its full potentials in Nigeria, and mentored many professionals to become national and international idols.”

Keshi helped Nigerians with his talent -NOC
President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel and Secretary General, Hon Tunde Popoola were gutted by the news of the untimely death of former Super Eagles Captain and coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi yesterday. Stephen Okechukwu Keshi The flamboyant coach who was the longest captain of the Super Eagles and also one of two Africans to win the African Cup of Nations as player and coach died early morning Wednesday. Gumel described Keshi as a hero who left an incredible mark on the sands of time in Nigeria, Africa and World. Quoting Fred Rogers, Gumel said; ‘’anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero’’. ‘’He did much more to help Nigerians with his God-given talent. He united Nigerians with his leadership in the Eagles and achieved what most people older could not. We’re devastated but pray for the well being of his children and family he left behind’’, Gumel grasping to come to terms with the death of the 54-year old said. Secretary General, Hon Tunde Popoola could not hold his emotions. ‘’What do you mean? How can Keshi die? Why?’’, Popoola, a long time friend of the Big Boss repeatedly asked as tears welled in his eyes. The secretariat of the NOC at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos was like a graveyard as the staff gathered in groups discussing the death the icon.

Keshi`s sack, ill thought out move – Danagogo
Port Harcourt – Tammy Danagogo, former Minister of Sports, on Thursday said that the sack of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was a wrong move. Danagogo said, in Port Harcourt, that the death of Keshi, was a pathetic loss to Nigeria. He said as minister, those who wanted Keshi sacked, had no better alternative. Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi “I worked with Keshi as minister when he was the coach of Super Eagles. To me, his commitment and patriotism is unequal,” he said. Danagogo said he supported Keshi because of the sincerity he exuded. “Keshi was a regular player, captain and later coach of the national team. He was enthusiastic to deliver but he had challenges. “I know the odds he faced. As minister then, those who wanted him out were asking me why I was always supporting Keshi. “I supported him because he was ready to work for Nigeria even when he was owed arrears of salaries,” he said. According to Danagogo, as Minister of Sports, he refused Keshi’s sack because those who wanted him out as coach had no better alternative. “I realised that those who were clamouring to change Keshi, at the point they were clamouring for it, we did not have any local alternative that was better than him. “He was an exceptional case of talent, commitment and patriotism to the development of Nigerian football even when he was owed three to five months salary arrears,” he said. Danagogo said he disagreed with those who wanted Keshi out because they did not have solution on who to replace him. “I asked them, look, who is the local alternative that is better than Keshi. If you convince me, you can change him. “Now, if you are going for a foreign alternative, can you pay the person when you are not able to pay a local coach,” he said. “I believe Nigeria has lost one its best in terms of talent, commitment and sacrifice to the development of sports, especially football in the country,” The former minister said.

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with Keshi's Family
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commiserated with the family of the late former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Stephen Keshi, and the entire country over his untimely death.

Mr. Buhari, in a twitter message, described the late Keshi as a great sportsman, football player and coach.

The twitter message read: “Nigeria today lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and a citizen.

“President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the family of late Stephen Keshi, and with the entire country on his untimely passing (away).’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had also issued a statement commiserating with the family of the late soccer star who died at the age of 54 years on Wednesday.

(NAN).



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Remembering Nigerian Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (23 January 1962 – 8 June 2016), A Nigerian Sports Icon.

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