“Keshi was such an admirable and dedicated man who did Nigeria proud with his talent in the game of football. May he rest in peace,” he said.
On his part, former Zambian national team captain and coach, Kalusha Bwalya, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) exco member and FIFA Football Committee member revealed that he woke up to the sad news of the passing of Stephen Keshi.
“I can’t believe it. I am in shock. Keshi and myself started almost at same time in Belgium (1986). Sad, sad, sad mdala. Words can’t explain. Big man with a big heart Keshi was. Football legend. RIP.”
Sunday Oliseh, erstwhile Super Eagles coach said on his twitter handle “Horrible news & Sad day as Our Legendary Captain & brother Stephen Keshi dies. May his blessed soul rest in peace. We lost an iconic Hero 2day.”
Former South African captain, Mark Fish said he was very sad to hear about Stephen Keshi passing away. “Condolences to his family. An absolute gentleman off the field and a fantastic player.”
Comedian and entertainer Julius Agwu said “This truly exemplifies the brevity of human existence. Stephen Okechukwu Keshi….. You came, You Saw, You got trophies.”
Keshi, 54, is the only man to have won the African Nations Cup for Nigeria both as a captain and as a coach having captained the team to success in 1994 and managing it to the trophy in 2013. He became the only the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach after Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary.
Fondly known as ‘Big Boss’ by his colleagues and those within football circles, Keshi was one of Nigeria’s early football exports to Europe, playing for Anderlecht in the late 1980s. A product of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, late Stephen Keshi began his playing career at ACB Football Club, and then 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 to 1994, most of the time captaining the Super Eagles and scoring important goals from his position as a central defender. He also coached Togo and Nigeria at the World Cup, as well as Mali.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou, Wednesday condoled with the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and Nigerians on the death of former Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi.
In a statement on the association’s website, Hayatou expressed his “dismay” and “immense sadness” at the sudden death of the former Nigeria international.
He paid glowing tribute to the deceased, who emerged as the only African coach to have qualified two African teams to the World Cup – Togo in 2006 and Nigeria in 2014.
“’His other enviable record is being the only African trainer to have steered a team to the Second Round of the FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“He had achieved the same feat as a player with the Super Eagles at their maiden participation at the Mundial in 1994, in USA.
“’The CAF President conveyed the condolences on his own behalf, the CAF Executive Committee and African football family on the demise of Keshi, who was a jewel to his family, friends and the Nigerian football family, who are badly affected.
“This is a man, who was twice winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria; in 1994 as captain and in 2013 as a coach, with the latter earning him the distinction of Coach of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards,” the statement read.
Also, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it will be fully involved in the arrangements for the final burial rites of the late Stephen Keshi who died early Wednesday in Benin.
In a statement by Ademola Olajire, its Assistant Director (Communications), the NFF said, Wednesday its President, Amaju Pinnick, and board members would on Thursday visit the late Keshi’s family.
“Pinnick has been in contact with the family and will lead a delegation of some NFF Board and Congress members to Benin City on Thursday.
“But the NFF Board will meet and decide on the best way to honour Keshi. In the meantime, we will be fully involved in the arrangements for the final burial rites.”
While it expressed deep shock at the death which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, the statement also quoted Pinnick as describing Keshi’s death as devastating.
“We have lost a superhero,’’ the NFF President said.
The statement also said Pinnick has directed all centres hosting week 21 matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday to observe one-minute silence before kick-off.
“The NFF has already informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and world body FIFA about the passing of the former Super Eagles defender.
The statement quoted Keshi family sources as saying the 54-year old, who buried his wife Kate only five months ago, had complained of irregular heartbeats and pain in his legs.
It was in the process of his being rushed to a nearby hospital in Benin City that he gave up the ghost.
Also, reacting to Keshi’s death, former national team coach and technical committee of the NFF, Adegboye Onigbinde who made Keshi the Eagles’ captain in 1983, described news of his death as a big shock.
Sani Toro, who was Secretary General of the then NFA in those glorious days, said Keshi’s death was a big loss to Nigerian football.
Keshi was assistant to Dutchman Johannes Bonfrere as the Super Eagles finished runners-up in the 2000 AFCON.
Former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (54) died in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Wednesday, of suspected cardiac arrest.
The death of the former international was confirmed by a close family source in Asaba, Delta State. The source said he died late Tuesday at his residence without any prior ailment.
His Manager, Emma Adoh, also confirmed his death put the time of death of the legend at about midnight.
He died from Cardiac Arrest and his body has been transported to Central Hospital in the city.
Keshi is in the record books of CAF as one of two persons, alongside Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and manager, as well as the only African to have secured qualification for two African Nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup.
He made 64 appearances for Nigeria and scored 9 goals.
