Tears Flow As Stephen Keshi Finally Laid To Rest In Illah Hometown

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.

Read More

PHOTOS: Stephen keshi’s burial rites to final resting place

The final journey home for Stephen Keshi, former coach of the Super Eagles who died on June 8, has begun.

First for “the Big Boss”, as he was fondly called, was a church service at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, which began at 9am.

After that, he was moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where a novelty match was played in his honour, followed by the lying in state for his numerous admirers to pay their last respect.

The two-day event continued with movement of the body to Asaba, the Delta state capital, where his body is currently lying in state at the stadium named after him by Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of the state.

From Asaba, the body will leave for Illah, his homestead, to be received by the Obi Gbemudu, the Obi of Illah, along with his high chiefs. Keshi himself was a high chief of the Illah kingdom

After that the body moves to St’ John, The Evangelist Catholic Church for a requiem mass; and then to his home in Illah, where the body will again lie in state for an hour before internment at the same venue.

From the first-day events, below are photos:

Super Eagles class of 94 honoring keshi

Super Eagles class of 94 honoring keshi

Keshi’s body draped in the Nigerian flag

Keshi’s first son takes a Bible reading in church 

L-R: Stephen Femi Keshi, Jennifer Keshi, Emma Enyihor (Ifeyinwa’s husband) and Ifeyinwa Enyihor (daughter) 

Alex Usifo, renowned actor, in church 

Keshi’s body in church 

Keshi inside his own stadium

Read More

Keshi's son speaks : I don't know why some people are fixing date for my father burial without the consent of his children.

Keshi Jr. signing his dad's condolence register

The first son of late Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Keshi has expressed bewilderment that certain persons have put date for his father’s burial rites without the knowledge and consent of his children. 

Keshi Stephen Keshi Jnr, aged 27, arrived at the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday morning and met with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.   

He was in company of US–based chemist and friend of late Keshi, Victor Ugoh and former Super Eagles’ star Victor Obinna Nsofor. 

I just came into Nigeria on Tuesday night, and we read in the papers today that somebody has fixed a date for the burial. I am shocked like my sisters and my brothers.

Since our father died, nobody has spoken to us about how he died, and we have not even seen his corpse.  Yet, someone is fixing a date for his burial! We learnt that Keshi’s daughter, Ifeyinwa and husband, who are based in North Carolina, USA also flew into Nigeria on Tuesday.

From Left to Right, former Super Eagles striker Obinna Nsofor, Keshi Jnr and Victor Ugoh

Keshi Jnr, an events producer in Atlanta, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation, the governments of Edo and Delta States, ex –internationals and countless corporate bodies and individuals for all the kind words showered on his father since he passed on. 

He said  “I cannot thank everyone enough. We have only heard good and great words about our father since his death. I am going to Benin City now. The family will sit down and come up with a date for the funeral, but we also appreciate that he was a national figure and will harmonize our plans with that of the Government and the NFF. “Our father was a loving family man and we will miss him greatly. Our joy is that he left a worthy legacy for Nigeria football and for his family.”  

Keshi junior told Supersport.com earlier that, although it is not easy to lose both parents within a 6-month period, he and his siblings are grateful for all the love, support and condolence from everyone on the loss of his father. 

He said: “We’re still mourning our father; we’re still shocked and confused. Words can’t describe our feelings right now, but we want to remain joyful, remain happy, because he was a joyful and happy person. 

For us what helps is our parents are together now; they were together on earth for 33 years. It soothes us that they are together in heaven.

Read More

Mikel others to feature in Keshi's burial

Eagles skipper Mikel Obi is expected to play a part in the funeral of Stephen Keshi just as several state governments have indicated interest to also play a part.

Family sources said Abuja, the Federal capital will be the first port of call, with players of the national team expected to be led by Mikel also be reached to play a part in the burial ceremony.

Indications have already emerged that Keshi will be buried in his ancestral home of Illah, in Delta state, with the Federal Government, Edo, Delta and Cross River state governments already indicating interest to be part of the burial ceremony.

More states are expected to indicate interests.

His children are also expected to start arriving from the United States later this week as arrangements peak for his burial.

Meanwhile, close friends have urged the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation to clear match bonuses and allowances owed Keshi before his death.

Keshi was still owed for the games against Sudan, which was won in Abuja and the drawn game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana played in Uyo, along with his officials before he died last week.

“Let them demonstrate their sudden love for him by paying to his family what it was that they owed to kick-start preparations for his burial”, an ex-player who does not want his name in print declared. 

Read More

Keshi Remains Deposited At Faith Mediplex Mortuary in Benin

Chairman, Edo State Football Association,Frank Ilaboya, confirmed on Thursday that the remains of former Super Eagle’s coach, Stephen Keshi, had been deposited in a mortuary in Benin.

The privately-owned mortuary, Faith Mediplex is located on the Benin Airport road in the Edo capital.


Read Also: 10 things you never knew about Stephen Keshi

A family member Ricky Aburimen,said that the Super Eagle’s former coach only complained of a leg ailment while holidaying at his Airport road home in Benin before he passed away.

He said that Keshi died on the way to the hospital at about 3am.

The ex- international alo lost his wife , Nkem Kate Keshi only last December. They had been married for 33 years. She died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Keshi is survived by four children and his mother.

Read More

Exclusive: 10 of Stephen Keshi's impact to Nigeria football and Africa

The big Boss as he was fondly called ( for his leadership quality) served his country both as a player and as a coach and stamped his name in the golden historical book of Nigeria's achievement. 

www.soccer120.com Chinedu Okorodike digs into his historical archive to bring 10 of Stephen Keshi's impact for Nigerian as a country and in the lives of Nigerians and African players.

1.  HE QUALIFIED NIGERIA FOR HER FIRST EVER WORLD CUP AS A CAPTAIN.

After several attempts the Super Eagles finally secured a ticket to the FIFA senior World Cup which was hosted in USA in 1994.

Stephen Keshi played a Key role to ensure the Eagles qualified for the World Cup to be held on America soil. He gallantly featured in six of the eight qualifiers (4-0 home win against South Africa, 0-0 away draw against South Africa, 1-0 away win against Congo, 2-1 away lost to Cote d Ivoire, 4-1 home win against Ivory Coast and 1-1 away draw against Algeria).

And in the decisive away game against Algeria which ended 1-1, Keshi marshaled the Eagles defence, displaying his leadership qualities and wealth of experience as Nigeria finally earned a place at football's biggest showpiece. After the match in Algeria Keshi cried.

Years later he said I cried because  “We had history to make for ourselves unlike the Algerians, who had noting to play for. That last game, I recall, was played under closed doors and we needed a draw. We were a young side, so the pressure was on us. But at the end we got a draw"

2. HE BECAME THE SECOND NIGERIAN TO QUALIFIED NIGERIA FOR THE WORLD CUP AS A COACH.

Keshi became the second Nigerian to qualify Nigeria for the world cup after Shaibu Amodu. The Big Boss guided the Super Eagles to top group F which also had Kenya, Malawi, Namibia with 12 points. 

During the playoff Nigeria sealed qualification for Brazil 2014 after beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate. His big moment came when he was given the nod to lead Nigeria to the world cup. He was able to lead Nigeria to a second finish after the Super Eagles lost to France.

3. KESHI WAS A SHOULDER NIGERIANS AND OTHER AFRICAN PLAYERS LEANED ON.

A good example was how he got Ghanaian player and star of Barcelona 92, Odartey Lamptey, to play in Europe. Odartey Lamptey was not allowed to travel by the Ghanaian authorities who went as far as seizing his passport and travel documents. 

Odartey Lamptey

But "cometh the hour cometh the man". As Keshi broke the law of immigration by getting Odartey Lamptey a fake passport and traveling documents and smuggled him into Belgium. Odartey Lamptey will forever cherished Keshi. He also helped the brilliant Philip Osondu of Nigeria to seek greener pasture abroad. 

But one outstanding feat was how he foot the bills for Obobaifo (a Nigeria U-20 ex international midfielder) who died in a road crash after ramming his car into a street light in Belgium in 1992 under the influence of alcohol. 

The Belgium authorities enforced its law which was to see Obobaifo pay for damages if he survives the accident or his family pays if he lost his life in the accident. His family could not meet up,which prompted the Belgian authorities to seize Obobaifo remains.

Once again "cometh the hour cometh the man" as Keshi paid the fine to the local council to get his body released. He also paid for the transportation of the body to Nigeria for burial.

4. HE BELIEVED IN LOCAL PLAYERS

Keshi always believed in local players which sometimes led to running battles with the NFF. A good example was how he picked local players like Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars),  Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves),  Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Reuben Gabriel( Kano Pillars) and Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and turned them to AFCON champions. He also took Kano Pillars hit man Gambo Mohamed to the confederations cup in Brazil in 2013.

Former local Players like Sunday Mba blossomed under Keshi

Players like Gbolahon Salami, Ejike Uzoenyi ,Solomon Kwambe, Rabiu Ali all had fair chance with the national team compared to previous coaches who made sure that the players they picked were all foreign based players.For keshi it was " operation come and prove yourself'.

And this singular act by Keshi made the Nigeria Premier league interesting, as players gave their best week in week out, scoring cracking goals hoping to catch the eyes of the big boss. 

He made sure he struck a balance between the foreign base and the local base players, eliminating any form of superiority in camp and on the field of play and giving the locally players a flow of belief in their abilities. 

One could see the love that existed in the camp of the Eagles between local and foreign players. Every one worked for each other.

5. HE LOVED NIGERIA JUST LIKE HE LOVED HIMSELF

Keshi always put Nigeria first when the need arises. Stephen Keshi was a true patriot who felt bad whenever Nigeria lost a game. He was a commander on the pitch and his winning mentality and leadership aura rubbed on everyone.

A good example was during the Olympic qualifier for the Los Angeles Olympic to be held in America in 1984. Nigeria was up against Morocco and needed a win to book its place. 90 minutes was up and the match required penalty kick to sort out the winner. 

Up stepped a young Henry Nwosu who took his kicked stylishly and goalkeeper Ezzaki Badou of Morocco saved, thus denying Nigeria an appearance in the football event of the Olympic. Keshi tore up Henry Nwosu verbally and almost slapped him.

Another typical example was during the Algiers 90 Nations cup Stephen Keshi flew in from his base in Belgium despite his club Anderlecht refusing to release him. He flew in for Nigeria's second game against Cameroon and the final match against Algeria during the tourney.

He was dedicated to the Super Eagles project on and off the field which prompted ex eagles coach Adeboye Onigbinde to make him captain at a tender age of 21 despite having other senior players in the team like Late Mudashiru Lawal.

Keshi once said in an interview long before he got the Super Eagles coaching job,that he has a burning desire to lead the Super Eagles to greater heights. 

“I love Nigeria to bits, it’s killing me. I don’t know why the people at the NFF don’t want to see my face. But if I get the opportunity one day, by God’s grace, I will show my countrymen what am capable of doing .” He said. 

He fulfilled that promise when he guided the Super Eagles to claim the Nations cup trophy in 2013 before a packed crowd of 90,000 people in Johannesburg after a 19 years wait.

He got the captains arm band because he was brave, dedicated, talented and a leader even at a young age. Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof once said  "Keshi was the Eagles coach on the field while I am the coach on the bench". 

Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof once said Keshi was the Eagles coach on the field while I am the coach on the bench.  

6. HE WAS CALM AND CONSTRUCTIVE IN HIS STATEMENT AND AVOIDED SCANDALS

Keshi was always calm and avoided any scandal despite being treated badly many times by the NFA and later NFF.  A good example was after he was banned by the football federation led by Group Captain Tony Ikhazobo in 1985.  Reasons was that he disobeyed camp rules and regulation after reporting to camp a day after deadline due to club commitment. The ban meant that Keshi and four other players (Sunday Eboigbe, Bright Omokaro and Henry Nwosu) will not play for club ((New Nigerian Bank (NNB) of Benin) and country for six months.

Rather than rant and start calling names. He quietly and peacefully traveled abroad since the ban did not affect him playing abroad. It turned out to be a blesssing in disguise as it championed his career and paved way for his eventual move to Lokeren and Anderlecht in Belgium and later Strasbourg in France.

Also during his stint as coach of Nigeria, he was always at longer heads with the NFF, but he handled the matter with calmness typical of him. He never went on air or on social media to discredit anyone. But rather went about his duties even when he was owned salaries and accused falsely of taking bribe from players before selection.

7. HE OPENED THE FLOOD GATE FOR MOST PLAYERS TO MOVE ABROAD.

Keshi opened the floodgate for players to move to Belgium to seek for greener pasture. Following his ban by the NFA he moved to Abidjan and then Belgium where he captained Anderlecht FC.  He became an integral member of the Anderlecht team, Due to his exploit in Belgium. Keshi encouraged young players to follow in his footsteps and travel abroad to play. 

Keshi playing for Anderlecht against Sampdoria in the 1990 European Cup Winners' Cup Final

Following in his footsteps to Belgium were the likes of Augustine Eguavoen, Osaro Obobaifo, Philip Osondu, Victor Ikpeba, Samson Siasia, Chidi Nwanu, Dahiru Sadi, Sunday Oliseh,Tajudeen Oyekanmi, Etim Esin and many more.

He became a mentor to players, his exploits in Belgium caused the dark scales to fall from the eyes of European club coaches and scouts as they all started jostling for the signatures of Nigerian players and other Africans players

He supported Nigerian and African players who were coming up by helping them to cross over to Europe.The Big Boss would identify their talents and connect them to a trusted agent. When some complain about flight tickets, he would get them flight ticket and also provide logistics and accommodation by housing them in his house in Belgium where they will be treated to sumptuous meal by his late wife Kate until they have found their feet.

Soon Nigerian and African players were living their dream, playing alongside players they could only idolize via television and pages of Newspapers.

8. HE WON THE NATIONS CUP FOR NIGERIA AS A CAPTAIN.

After Nigeria won the Nations cup in 1980 on home soil. Nigerians longed and yearned for another moment of victory. They wanted to see their darling team mount the podium meant for champions.

Keshi celebrating the 1994 Nations cup victory in Tunisia with Peter Rufai and Sunday Oliseh

The Eagles came close to winning a second nations cup but defeat either at the semi final or final always made that possibility unrealistic. But after a 14 years wait, under the guidance of Coach Clement Westerhof the Big Boss led Nigeria to win the Nations cup in 1994 in Tunisia.

9. HE IS NIGERIA'S MOST DECORATED PLAYER AND COACH

Keshi is the decorated Nigeria footballer. He  was captain when Nigeria emerged finished second at the Nations cup held in Cote d’Ivoire in 1984. He was captain when Nigeria finished second again at the Nations cup held in Morocco tagged Maroc 88.

Keshi was also captain for when Nigeria finished second for the third time at the Nations cup held at Algeria tagged Algiers ‘90

The reoccurring silver medals soon diminished to a bronze medal as Keshi also captained Nigeria when Nigeria finished third at the Nations cup held in Senegal in 1992. His joyous moment after so many heart break came as he led Nigeria to win the 1994 Nations cup held in Tunisia. 

He won the silver medal as assistant coach to Jo Bonfrere during the Nations cup co hosted by Ghana and Nigeria tagged Ghana/Nigeria 2000. He also won the bronze medal as assistant coach to Shaibu Amodu at the Nations cup held in Mali tagged Mali 2002 and the Gold medal as HEAD COACH for Nigeria at the 2013 Nations cup held in South Africa.In all, Keshi played for Nigeria for 13 years (1981-1994) during which he participated in five Nations Cup championships with one bronze, three silver and one gold to show. 

As a coach, Stephen Keshi won one silver, one bronze and one gold.  Now tell any other Nigerian dead or alive that has achieved such magnificent and outstanding feat with the National team of Nigeria.

10. HE WON THE NATIONS CUP FOR NIGERIA AS A COACH.

Keshi presents the AFCON trophy to Former President Goodluck Jonathan

This was perhaps Keshi's finest moment as he guided Nigeria to victory during the Nations cup in held in South African In 2013 after a 19 years wait. That victory brought back hope for Nigerians as the nation populace revived hope in the once "dead football" 

Keshi and his assistant coach Daniel Amokachi  pose for the camera with the AFCON trophy they won in 2013

It also placed Stephen Keshi in the canals of history as he (Keshi) became the second Person to win the Nations cup as a player and as a coach.  

My humble suggestion 

As Nigeria mourns the death of a legend, we call on the Nigerian football authority and the government to immortalize this great man and not let his antecedence be washed away like that of previous sporting heroes such as Rashidi Yekini, Samuel Okwaraji, Muda Lawal and many more. I will personally miss you  your Adieu the Big Boss.

Chinedu Okorodike (Aka Juanizy)

Email: chineduokorodike@soccer120.com

GALLERY

Keshi received an MON award from former president Goodluck Jonathan for his exploits at the AFCON in 2013

Daniel Amokachi lifts Stephen Keshi high in celebration of the AFCON victory in 2013

Read More

Not even 10 Million soldiers could have stoped Keshi's death ----- Brother speaks

Brother and manager of former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, Emmanuel Ado, has said it was destined by God that Keshi will pass on and not even “10 million soldiers would have stopped it”.

READ: Stephen Keshi is dead

Keshi, 54, died early Wednesday in the Midwest Nigerian city of Benin of a suspected heart attack.

“It is true, my brother has passed on. He has gone to meet his wife,” said Ado.

“It’s very painful, but it is what God has destined. Not even 10 million soldiers would have stopped it. But we give glory to God.”

In December 2015, Keshi lost his wife of 35 years after a prolonged battle with cancer.

He was scheduled to return to the family home in the United States of America today.

Read More

Former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi dies at 54

Stephen Keshi who led Nigeria to victory at the 2013 Nation Cup held in South Africa is dead.
Keshi, 54 died at the early hours of Wednesday after he was reported to have slumped.

The big Boss as he was fondly called ( for his leadership quality) also lost his wife Kate of 35 years of marriage last year after a prolonged battle with cancer.

He is survived by four children and his mother also. Keshi is the only Nigerian coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as a coach. He also achieved a rare feat in 2013 by becoming only the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach.The only other person to have achieved the feat is Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary. 

Keshi on duty for Nigeria

For his education Keshi, attended St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos and started playing football at a very young age with ACB Football Club, and later played for New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan and Africa Sports in Ivory Coast, Lokeren and Anderlecht in Belgium and RC Strasbourg of France, and a host of other clubs.  

He represented Nigeria from 1982, at age 20, till 1994, most of the time captaining the Super Eagles and scoring vital goals from his position as a central defender.  

Keshi with his Late Wife

He also coached Togo,qualifying them for the 2006 World and Nigeria for the 2014 world cup. He also had stints with Mali.  

With his dead it brings the number of the all-conquering 1994 team that are dead to five, (Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and Wilfred Agbonavbare). 

President Jonathan with the Afcon trophy pose with Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi 

Meanwhile, the family has released a statement announcing his death.  The statement signed by Emmanuel Ado was titled:

 “Stephen Keshi CON has gone to be with his wife”.  “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 on on the 9th December 2015.  

Keshi as captain celebrates the AFCON victory with Peter Rufai and Sunday Oliseh in 1994

Read More: Stephen Keshi Set to coach Orlando Pirate

 “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.  

“We thank God for his life.  “We want to ask for understanding in  this very difficult time for the family.”

Read More