The remains of former Super Eagles coach and Nigerian football icon, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was finally laid to rest in his hometown Illah, Delta State on Friday, amidst tears as the late football legend journeyed home.
The burial rites of the ‘Big Boss’ (as Keshi was fondly called) commenced with lying-in state of his body at his Illah house in the morning, after which they proceeded to the Church service (St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church) in Illah.
The burial continued with interment of his body, where he was committed to mother earth at about 2:00pm, with friends and family members at the graveside to pay their last respect to the departed hero.
Some dignitaries at the burial include, Delta State deputy governor Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, members of the Delta State Sports Commission, ex-Nigeria internationals and members of the 94 Super Eagles players whom Keshi captained), among others present at the burial.
Even though some were disappointed with the absence of top federal government functionaries at the burial, but the whole atmosphere bubbled with excitement over the arrival of Nwankwo ‘Papillo’ Nwankwo who stormed the venue towards the last stage of the burial to honour the former captain and coach of the Nigeria’s senior national team.
Former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) coach, Franklin Howard couldn’t control the tears at the graveside during the burial, and other ex-players joined including crowd as Keshi’s casket was lowered deep in the grave. Among the Super Eagles ‘94 squad present at the burial include, Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana) Uche ‘Gentle Giant’ Okechukwu, Austin Eguavoen, Alloy Agu, Mutiu Adepoju, Emeka Ezeugo, Victor Ikpeba, Friday Ekpo other ex-internationals outside the ’94 set like Pastor Taribo West, among others.
Austin Jay Jay Okocha (who is the current Delta Football Association chairman) was conspicuously missing at the burial.
Players like Chigozie Agbim and few others that Keshi helped to get national team call-ups were also present at the burial to pay their last respect to the late coach. Keshi died of heart failure June 8, 2016 in Benin City, Edo State.
He is the only Nigerian to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) both as player (in 1994) and coach (in 2013) respectively.
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