SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, (THEWILL) – The sudden death of Nigeria’s football legend and former Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has come to many as a pain too hard to bear. Coming at a time when the nation’s soccer still need his professional contributions, his demise has dimmed the path of our collective aspirations.
Over the years, Nigeria has become synonymous with football, having won many regional and continental cup competitions. In all the struggles to achieve these feats, one man who had played a pivotal role is the late football legend.
Keshi’s influence over his teammates, inspirational playing on the field and ability to coordinate when the hopes were down combined to earn him the nickname, ‘the big boss.’ As a pathfinder, foremost player and coach, he was respected across nations as a hero and mentor.
He started his football career with the then African Continental Bank, ACB Football Club of Lagos in 1979. He later moved to the New Nigerian Bank Football Club, in an atmosphere of soccer amateurisms.
But when in 1985, the then Minister of Sports, Tony Ikhazoboh, banned him and four other players for reporting late to national camp, the octopus in him led him to greater stardom.
Apparently in fulfillment of the divine leadership mantle that God entrusted on him, he left the Nigerian shores and etched his name in gold, joining Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports; in Cote D’Ivoire, where he was immediately appointed the club’s captain, even when he could not communicate in French.
With a dint of determination and hard work, he leaped further and was to later play big time professional football in Europe, playing for such first division clubs as Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg Football Clubs, before retiring from active football career.
The late Keshi played for the Flying Eagles before progressing to the Super Eagles and adorned the nation’s jerseys in several competitions, including the African Cup of Nations and two World Cup appearances. He became a colossus, whom his mates relied upon even in the fight for match bonuses and other rights. He was a central defender in his team and most times featured as Captain of his side. In and off the pitch, he was a leader extraordinaire.
His patriotism and passion for Nigeria shot him into reckoning when he became Super Eagles Coach. From being a local to professional footballer and coach, there was never a dull moment with him as he scored many firsts.
Shortly after becoming the national team coach in 2011, he took the stakes higher, such that by 2013, he had become one of the first two footballers, alongside Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to win the African Cup of Nations, as both player and coach.
Also in November 2013, Keshi qualified the Super Eagles for the 2014 World Cup as a local Coach. He had qualified Togo for its first World Cup tournament, and led it to the tournament as a coach.
Such were his giant strides that his indelible marks would never be erased in the annals of Africa and his country’s football.
THEWILL is saddened by the exit of this soccer maestro and joins his family and the entire soccer-loving nation in mourning his sudden end. As life is transient, we cannot but wish his soul eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord. However, this is not without according him the well-deserved honour as someone who took the nation’s football out of doldrums to the mountaintops.
The post-humorous encomiums poured on him from across the nation, including the promise by Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, encourages us to immortalize him. No honour therefore would be too big for a man like Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the deceased Anioma son of Delta State.
THEWILL therefore urges the Federal Government to immortalize him by naming a national edifice after him; including the Abuja National Stadium and the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Headquarters. His home state, Delta, should also name a monument after him, including a stadium, just like it was done after another football star, Samson Siasia in Bayelsa State, even while he is still alive.
We also urge the Sports Ministry to preserve the legacies that Keshi left behind, especially his numerous advocacies, as a player and coach, and use them to reposition the nation’s football.
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