June 7, 2019 marks three years since Stephen Keshi passed away. In remembrance of him, the super eagles converged at the Stephen Keshi for a press conference and will hold a training session by 4:15pm open to both fans and the media. Here are some facts about the Late Icon:
Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi was born on January 23, 1962 in Azare, Bauchi State
He hailed from Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The first football club he ever played for in Nigeria was ACB Football Club, before joining New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg among other clubs.
From 1981 to 1995 when he stopped playing international football for Nigeria, Keshi appeared 64 times in the Eagles colour and scored a total of nine goals.
After a playing career mostly with Belgian clubs, Keshi went to the United States to be educated in coaching.
Between 2004 and 2006 Keshi coached the Togo national football team, surprisingly bringing them to their first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006. He also coached Mali National team.
He spoke French and English fluently.
He served as head coach for the Junior Eagles at the 2001 African Youth Championship.
He coached the Super Eagles on three occasions, leading them to the 2013 Nations Cup title in South Africa and the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup.
He had series of resignation, firing and rehiring with the Nigerian Football Association because of his stand for integrity.
One of Africa football’s best-known figures, the ex-Super Eagles captain is one of only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.
During his playing career, Keshi earned 60 caps for the Nigerian national football team, making him the nation’s second-most capped player at the time of his retirement.
Keshi was married to his wife Kate (née Aburime) for 30 years. She died on 10 December 2015, after battling cancer for three years. They had four children.
Keshi had a heart attack and died en route to hospital on 7 June 2016 in Benin City, aged 54
Source: wikipedia.com
As we remember the great Stephen Keshi, I bring this back. Leon Balogun paying tribute to a man who played a huge role in his national team career. RIP Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. pic.twitter.com/13wyI8FTlL
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) June 7, 2019
Leon Balogun paying tribute to a man who played a huge role in his national team career
