Keshi was one of African football’s best-known figures and was one of only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
During his playing career, Keshi lifted the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles in 1994 and then went on to coach Nigeria in three spells, which included winning the Nations Cup in 2013 and a Round of 16 finish in the 2014 World Cup.
His 20-year playing career included a spell at Belgian side Anderlecht, plus stints in France, the United States and Malaysia. He won 64 caps for Nigeria as a defender between 1981 and 1995, scoring nine goals.
Keshi began his managerial career with Togo in 2004 and would have three stints with the Sparrow Hawks during which he led them to a surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He had a two-year spell with Mali before landing the Super Eagles job in 2011.
He then oversaw an overhaul of the Super Eagles squad and took his young side to the continental title two years later.
A statement on the coach’s death has been released by Emmanuel Ado, brother and aide to the late Stephen Keshi : “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.”
“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.”
Keshi’s wife Kate passed away last December after a three-year battle with cancer. Keshi is survived by four children and his mother
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