Since the news of the death of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi broke on Wednesday, June 8, politicians, sports journalists, former teammates, players, and football stars across Africa have paid tribute on social media to the late iconic soccer legend.
Football personalities have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ex-Super Eagles veteran, Stephen Keshi.
Keshi, a former captain and coach of the Super Eagles, ‘The Big Boss,’ won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) as player and manager in 1994 and 2013, respectively.
Immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on Friday paid tribute to former Super Eagles Coach and defender, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
He said, “I was Nigeria’s leader when Stephen Keshi led our team to win AFCON and I testify that we couldn’t have done it without him. Adieu Keshi.”
The former President has now joined other leaders and sports-loving people all over the world to pay tribute to the football legend who was among the few that achieved the feat of winning the AFCON as a player and a coach.
Recall that Keshi won the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, when Jonathan was the president of the Country.
Jonathan paid his tribute via his twitter handle @GEJonathan on Friday.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the sudden death of ex-soccer star as the loss of a national hero and a pacesetter, saying, “It saddens my heart to learn of the stunning news of the death of the golden boy of Nigerian football.
“His departure is more touching when one recalls that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer late last year, thus rendering their young children hapless orphans.”
Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State governor, described the sudden demise of former Super Eagles player and coach as tragic and a monumental loss to football in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world.
Okowa said: “The remarkable achievements recorded by the Nigeria Super Eagles in 1994 and 2013 were unarguably due to his indefatigable role as the captain and coach.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino; South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba; and South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan said they were saddened and shocked by the death of the former NNB captain.
Infantino wrote on FIFA’s website, “I would like to express my deepest sympathy on hearing the news of the loss of the Nigeria great Stephen Keshi.
“On behalf of the international football community, please allow me to extend my deepest condolences to the football community of Nigeria and, most importantly, to Stephen’s family, friends and love ones. We hope that, in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.”
Jordaan said by virtue of SAFA’s close links with the Nigerian Football Federation, his association with Keshi was equally strong and intimate.
Mashaba said, “Words cannot describe this shocking loss. Keshi was not only a giant of African football but was a global football icon.”
He told Goal, “At 54, Keshi was one of the bright young coaches coming out of this continent and having been a captain and solid player during his playing days, you can’t find a better individual whose life was wholly dedicated to the game of football.”
Emmanuel Amunike, Nigeria U-20 coach, privileged to play with Keshi during his playing days, described him as a true Legend: “Keshi can be described in many ways, but those of us that are privileged to share good moments with him can boldly say that Keshi is a leader, brother that inspired many of us. He encouraged us and inspired to be the best.”
Former South Africa captain Phil Masinga; ex-Ghana attacker Nii Odartey Lamptey; ex-South Africa defender Neil Tovey; ex-Zambia captain Kalusha Bwalya; and ex-Ghana defender Mohammed Gargo said they were devastated by Keshi’s passing.
“It is a big loss for the whole African football fraternity…especially Nigeria,” former Bafana Bafana forward, Masinga who faced Keshi in a 1994 World Cup qualifier in Lagos, told Goal on Thursday.
“He did so much for Nigeria as a player and as a coach.
“I played against him in the early 90’s, we faced Nigeria in Lagos if I remember correctly
“He was a very good defender, a well respected player in Nigeria…as a captain the players had a lot of respect for him.”
Also, former Black Stars playmaker Lamptey, who Keshi was accused of smuggling to Belgium to sign for Anderlecht, told Kasapa 102.5 FM said the deceased did a lot for him.
He said, “I stayed with him for a minimum of six months and he fed me on a daily basis, encouraged me and all that
“He did a lot for me. My first contract I signed in Europe- Belgium he went with me and signed the contract for me. What he’s done for me I can’t pay him back. I appreciate him a lot.”
Former Black Stars and Borussia Dortmund defender Gargo said, “I am really surprised to hear that Keshi is no more I cannot even believe it.
“I am a Muslim and I believe that we will all die one day but to think that Kesi would be gone so soon was thinkable.”
Bwalya said he had lost his “good brother”.
He told PowerFM “He was a funny guy and a leader but didn’t impose himself on people but people who spoke to him walked away thinking ‘I have spoken to a real man’. Stephen was a big man of Africa and the world so my sincere condolences to his family.”
Anthony Nlebem
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