Nigerians Mourns Stephen Keshi's Death

The news broke earlier on Wednesday (8th of June)  morning that the former Nigeria coach Stephen Okechuckwu  Keshi has sadly passed away.

Stephen Keshi

As reported by goal.com, the news was confirmed by family spokesman Emmanuel Ado, which says the former Nigeria international and coach of the national team died of cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday.

"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,” Mr. 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," concluded the statement.

Since the announcement of the demise of the Big Boss, many Nigerians have started paying tribute to the former coach among which are NFF President Amaju Pinnick who says The news was devastating and claimed that Nigerians have lost a superhero.

Pinnick confirmed he had been in contact with the family and would lead a delegation of some NFF Board and Congress members to Benin City on Thursday.

“The NFF Board will meet and decide on the best way to honour Stephen Keshi. We will be fully involved in the arrangements for the final burial rites.”

Under 20 national coach, Emmanuel Amuneke describe him as a leader with passion. He said

"Words can't describe the moment.  It's a huge loss, we have lost a great leader, brother, a father and a great personality that represented Nigeria well and someone who has put smiles on the faces of millions of Nigerians around the world,"


"We've lost someone that inspired us,  someone we have watched grow up as a player, we have lost someone we were privileged to have shared the dressing room with and great impact in Nigerian football. At the Lord give us all the strength to with stand this huge loss.
"He achieved the 1994 triumph in Tunisia being honest, dedicated and knowing so well that every journey has its challenges.

"As a player Stephen Keshi made Nigerians proud and he came back years after to coach. He was a leader with passion and discipline.

"It's painful that we are losing great men who can do more for the next generation but we all know that we were born and are meant to die one day but what defines us is what we've done on earth.

"Unfortunately we came from a peculiar country where people rarely recognise you when you are alive. No one cares to know what's happening to players after they retire. 

"A gift is being given to every human by God and you can impact positively with that same gift. It's a sad moment."

The Big Boss, as he was fondly called, made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in 1981 at age 20 and the central defender retired in 1994 after picking up 64 caps and nine goals as he captained Nigeria to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations as well as their first appearance at the World Cup in the USA.