In a very sad turn of events, Nigeria Super Eagles coach Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi died suddenly in the early hours of Wednesday 8th June 2016 in Benin City, Edo state at the age of 54.
He was scheduled to return to the United States on Wednesday evening before he suffered cardiac arrest.
It will be recalled that the football icon had lost his wife of 35 years, Kate, last year after a prolonged battle with cancer.
“He was not ill at all, never showed any signs of illness, but we suspect he never got over the death of his wife,” a close family source said.
He is survived by four children and his mother.
Keshi, the only Nigerian coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations, achieved a rare feat in 2013 by becoming only the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach.
Keshi, a product of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, started his playing career at a very young age at ACB Football Club, and later played for New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg, and a host of other clubs.
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.
He also coached Togo and Nigeria at the World Cup, as well as Mali.
Keshi, nicknamed the “Big Boss” for his leadership skills, is the fifth member of the all-conquering 1994 team to die, following Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and Wilfred Agbonavbare.
See the statement released by his family below:
Meanwhile, the family has released a statement announcing his death.
The statement signed by Emmanuel Ado was titled: “Stephen Keshi CON has gone to be with his wife”.
“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,” Ado wrote.
“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.
“Since her death, Keshi has been in mourning. He came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday, before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He has found rest.
“We thank God for his life.
“We want to ask for understanding in this very difficult time for the family.”
May his soul rest in peace
It’s hard. To Keshi, May his soul find rest.to the bereaved family, may they be comforted of the The Holy Spirit. To the orphaned,God is watching over you, His Grace will see you through this times. To my understadning, the couple shared a bond, hence one could not survive without the other. It’s rare. To the One that declared the end from the beginning, we give u praise, for you alone know the end of every man. Your ways have remained a mystery to humankind. You reign Supreme.
Rest in peace Keshi, the best Nigerian coach, super Eagles ever had…