We remember Stephen Keshi for being one of the greatest sportsmen in Nigeria, both as a player and as a coach. Born in Bauchi State but Delta State by origin, Stephen Keshi started playing football at a young age.
His first international signing was with Africa Sports FC in Cote d’Ivoire, before he proceeded to Belgium, where he played first, for Lokeren FC in 1986, and then, Anderlecht FC in 1987.
Keshi played for Nigeria from 1981 to 1995.
Keshi moved to R.W.D Molenbeek where he made only 40 appearances and was sacked because he chose to play for country over club.
That same year, he etched his name in Nigerian history when he captained the national team to win the African Nations Cup for Nigeria in Tunisia.
He is the fifth member of the ‘Golden Generation’ 1994 team to have passed away. The others are Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare.
Keshi had three spells as coach of the Togo national team between 2004-2006, 2007-2008, and in 2011.
He also coached the Malian national team between 2008 and 2010.
But then he took over as Coach of Nigeria’s senior team, from 2011.
In 2013, he lifted the African Nations Cup again, only this time, as a coach.
He became the only other person, besides Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have lifted the trophy as player and manager.
In 2015, he lost his beloved wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer.
His friends say he never fully got over the loss, and in the early hours of Wednesday June 8, Stephen Keshi suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in Benin City. He was aged 54.
The Big Boss will be remembered for his patriotism and immense contribution to the growth of Nigerian football.
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