keshi

Nigerian iconic footballer, former coach of the Super Eagles and former coach of Togo’s national team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has died. Keshi, regarded by some as the most successful African coach and by others as the most successful Nigerian footballer, passed on, on his way to the hospital in Benin City this morning at about 3:00 am.

A statement by Keshi’s family was released a few hours ago. It was signed by Emmanuel Ado, his brother and aide. The moving statement which was quite revealing read:

“With thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick 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 of 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.”

Frank Ilaboya who is chairman of the Edo State Football Association has shed more light on how the football great died. Quoting a family source, he said Keshi had complained about pain in his leg and that as he was being rushed to the hospital at about 3:00 am today, he died.

Keshi had been living in his house located on Airport Road, G.R.A., Benin City since December last year. From every account, the ace footballer and coach never really recovered from the wife’s death. The family’s statement revealed that much that he had been in mourning. And what an irony that he died on the day he planned to fly back to his base.