Former Super Eagles captain and former coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, has died.
According to his family, he died in the early hours of Wednesday June 8th after suffering from Cardiac arrest in Benin, Edo state.
He was 54 years old.
His demise was announced by his family in a statement.
“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 o on the 9th December 2015. Since her death, Keshi has been 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.” his brother Emmanuel Ado said in a statement.
He is survived by four children and his mother.
Reacting to Keshi’s death, Dr Osahon Enabulele, vice president, Commonwealth Medical Association described it as as great loss for Nigeria.
He commiserated with the late coach’s family and the entire football community of the country.
He said: “It was with great shock and deep pain that I received the sad news of the unfortunate death of Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, a former Coach of the Super Eagles, while in his home in the early hours of today, and before arriving at the Faith Mediplex hospital, Benin City, Edo State, where he was taken to for emergency care.
“Indeed one has been so devastated and unable to hold back tears since learning of the untimely death of our indisputable football icon, the inimitable Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
“As one with whom I had privileged and great friendship from my tender age, I feel extremely sad, especially as Coach Stephen Keshi lost his wife only a couple of months ago. He was undoubtedly a true Patriot, committed, diligent, selfless and altruistic Nigerian, iconic Coach and a well-respected global citizen who made tremendous sacrifices to his country, Nigeria, and the global community at large.
“Despite the challenging circumstances he sometimes found himself, he, at all times, exemplified the “I can do” Nigerian spirit, one that made him achieve astounding results in his chosen career.
“I offer my sincere and deep condolences to his immediate family, particularly the children he left behind, his extended family, the Aburimes (including my dear friend and in-law to late Coach Stephen Keshi, Patriot Richard Aburime). I also commiserate with the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Edo and Delta States, the Nigerian Football Federation, and indeed all Nigerians, over Coach Stephen Keshi’s shocking and untimely demise. As we mourn, I fervently pray God in his abundant grace, to comfort and strengthen the children and family of late Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, and to grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of an icon.
“While we cannot question God for his decision to call our dear brother, late Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, to his spiritual realm at this time when he was still eager to give much more to his country and global community, I call on his family and all Nigerians to be consoled by the fact that late Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi lived a good and Godly life with everlasting legacies of humility, diligence, excellence, and exemplary service to his fatherland and world at large.
“I urge that Coach Stephen Keshi’s death should not be allowed to be in vain. I therefore appeal that all efforts be made to immortalize this unique and selfless Nigerian and global citizen, distinguished family man, indefatigable bulwark of the defence line, unrivalled Coach of our Super Eagles, proud recipient of many iconic honours and awards, including the distinguished Oba Erediauwa CFR merit award, amongst others too numerous to mention.
“We shall surely miss the “Great Boss”. But I pray to God who loves him more, to grant the great soul of our brother, Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, eternal repose in his bosom.
“Sleep on brother until we all meet to part no more.
Adieu the great Boss! Adieu Skeepo!! Adieu our inimitable Coach and bulwark of the defence line.”
