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Tag: keshi

  • AFCON 2019: Super Eagles Vow to Win for Keshi

    AFCON 2019: Super Eagles Vow to Win for Keshi

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are prepared to beat South Africa and dedicate the victory to the memory of the late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has said; “We will dedicate our expected win over South Africa in Uyo on Saturday to Keshi to mark the one year of his death. The boys will play this game with all their might to ensure we get a win in memory of the former coach of Super Eagles,” Rohr states during a chat.
    Keshi who led the Super Eagles to win the AFCON in South Africa in 2013 died in June 2016 had also won the AFCON as a player in 1994.
    “Keshi was a committed person as a player, I played against him in the French league while he was with Strasbourg. He was a good leader and good coach. We will play for him.”
    On his young team, he expresses confidence in the ability of the boys to get things done according to plan, adding that they will blend and mature with time. He believes South Africa will be tough, but the Super Eagles will overcome.
    Rohr reiterates his earlier statement that he would respond to the Bafana Bafana’s boasting on the pitch stressing that he would rather prepare his players than to play mind games.
    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF on Wednesday remembered the late Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi who died exactly one year ago in Benin City, Edo State.
    In an emotional message on its Twitter account, the NFF appreciated the life and times of the former defender.
    “We say not in grief you are no more, but we live in thankfulness that you were. Rest on BIG BOSS! Late Stephen Keshi (23/01/62 – 7/6/2016).”

    We say not in grief you are no more, but we live in thankfulness that you were. Rest on BIG BOSS!

    The NFF handle also wrote about Saturday’s 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa saying:

    “Nigeria is on the march again.  There’s no stopping us. We are confident. We are winners.  We are SUPER!  #SoarSuperEagles.”

    — The NFF ?? (@thenff) June 7, 2017

  • KESHI TO BE IMMORTALIZED IN GHANA

    KESHI TO BE IMMORTALIZED IN GHANA

    THE Late Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Stephen Keshi will have an academy facility named in his honour for his contribution to football and for opening his doors and the path to the celebrated career of former Ghana International, Nii Lamptey.

    Never one to shy away from the topic, Lamptey will harp on his love and admiration for the Afcon winning Coach, who along side his wife (also late) welcomed him on his first sojourn to Europe as a young footballer.

    In a chat with footballlive.ng Lamptey revealed he’ll launch his academy – after the judgement on an ongoing alimony case – in Ghana and will use the occasion to honour Keshi ” my father who got me where I am today”, who passed on 7 June 2016.

  • Edo students unveil plans to immortalise Amodu, Keshi

    •Sports festival in motion

    Tertiary institution students from Edo State have taken the bull by the horns as they unveiled plans for an annual Sports Festival to honour two of the greatest coaches Nigeria has ever produced in Shuiabu Amodu and Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

    The students under the aegis of the National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS), said through their Planning Committee Chairman, Comrade Oloke Emmanuel and their Director of Sports, Comrade Adeoye Raphael, that the plan is to hold an annual Sports Festival to honour two of the best coaches Nigeria and indeed Africa has ever produced.

    The duo said they have spoken to relevant authorities in  Edo and Delta states as well as football managers at the federal level and that they hope to get support for what they have tagged NAESS National Sports Festival in honour of Shuiabu Amodu and Stephen Keshi. Venue of the maiden event has been scheduled for the University of Benin Sports Centre, as  stakeholders meet to fine tune the date for later this year, with the middle of the year already touted.

    Comrades Adeoye and Oloke, were emphatic that they were not kidding on the project as they wish to use the sports festival to redefine the way heroes are treated in Nigeria, declaring that they were not quite satisfied at the way the duo of Amodu and Keshi were treated at both Federal and state levels when they passed on.

  • Keshi laid to rest amid tears

    Keshi laid to rest amid tears

    It was a deluge of tears yesterday as the remains of  the ex-coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, was laid to rest in his ancestral home town, Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

    His remains  were committed to mother earth at exactly 2 pm. The late Keshi, whose remains were borne in a black coloured  motorised hearse, arrived the agrarian community at exactly 9.35 am as scores of people lined the major streets to bid  him farewell.

    Upon hearing the sorrowful dirge by undertakers as the procession made its way  to the Ukpologwu quarters –the country home of late Stephen Keshi–women wailed and men gnashed their teeth as they tried to keep tears away.

    Some men who could no longer bottle their emotions burst into tears as the  cream and gold coloured casket laid and mourners filed past.

    Despite the carnival-like atmosphere, many mourners wore long faces as they stood in groups  of twos and threes discussing the sad reality of the death of  Nigeria’s football  icon.

    The procession made a brief stopover at the country home of the late Nigerian coach, continuing its onward journey to the church for the requiem mass at the St John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

    A group of  youths clad in  yellow jerseys with inscription Ukpologwu Football Club lined the streets in honour of their deceased patron.

    In his homily, Rev Fr. Dennis Awele Arinze admonished Nigerians  elites to serve selflessly, adding that despite the abundant natural resources, Nigerians are facing  hardship.

    He described Keshi as an epitome of excellence while urging Nigerian elites to emulate his great patriotism, saying, “as we mourn the death of  Stephen Keshi, we must ask God to help us emulate his  good works.”

    He lamenetd that majority of Nigerians are hungry while the elites live a life of debauchery.

    He admonished the followership not to constantly criticise our leaders but “instead of blaming darkness, light a candle, and you will have succeeded in dispelling darkness.”

    He further advised  that when things are bad, Nigerians should learn not to make it worse.

    Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, described Stephen Keshi as a trail blazer, adding that he had a close relationship with Stephen Keshi’s generation.

    He expressed appreciation to that generation of footballers who served their fatherland.

    His words: “I had a close relationship with Keshi’s generation in the 1980’s in Benin-City as a young man.

    “We appreciate your service to our fatherland.

    “Keshi was a trailblazer. He brought excellence to football in Nigeria.

    “He has lived a life, a life well lived.”

    Okowa disclosed that Delta State was working out plans to immortalise ‘our dear skippo’.

    The Super Eagles set of 1994 were present in their numbers, including Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Henry Nwosu, Alloy Agu, Uche Okechukwu, Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Edema Fuludu, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo, Emeka Ezeogu.

    Others present include Friday Ekpo, Humphery Jebba  and a host of others.

    Ex-International Austin Eguavoen, in his remarks at the reqiuem mass in an emotion laden voice reminisced the experiences they shared with the late Keshi during their playing days.

    He described Keshi as a tenacious fighter who would fight for the welfare of others at his own expense, adding that Keshi was a charismatic leader.

    He said:  “Our hearts are heavy and sorrowful, but we will not question the ways of Almighty God because His ways are inscrutable.

    “Keshi is a tenacoius fighter who when he holds on to a belief will have to be given a good reason to abandon his cause.”

    The set of 1994  joined him on the altar to sing Keshi’s favourite songs on their way to match venues during their playing days.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, in a message to the Keshi family, conveyed  his condolences, describing Keshi death ‘as a monumental loss’

    His words: “We hereby join numerous sympathisers within and outside the country to mourn the demise of this patriotic and astute sports administrator.

    “His passing away is indeed a great loss not only to you and the people of Delta State, but to the entire nation and humanity in general.’

    Ex-Technical Director Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and ex-coach of the Golden Eaglets, Fanny Amun, described Keshi as a success story.

    He said Keshi was an individual that fought for reckoning but was never recognised, adding that it is left to the authorities how best to immortalise Keshi.

    According to him, he is bereaved three times over, following the death of  Amodu Shuaibu, Kate Keshi and Stephen Keshi.

    His words: “I am more bereaved than his immediate family. I have lost Amodu, Mrs Keshi who is my sister and now my brother, the great irreplaceable Stephen Keshi.”

  • Keshi a role model – Chukwu

    Keshi a role model – Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has said the late Stephen Keshi will always remain “a role model” to upcoming coaches and footballers in Nigeria and Africa.

    Keshi was buried on Friday at his hometown in Ilah, Delta State, but Chukwu believes that the former Super Eagles captain has etched his name among the legends of the game in Africa and will continue to be a reference point in soccer.

    Chukwu insisted Keshi has ticked all the right boxes before he died.

    “It is a sad day for the game of football in Nigeria, and by extension Africa, as Stephen Keshi is buried. He did his best for Nigeria. It is no more news that he paved the way for many players to go abroad and make names for themselves. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach, Chukwu told supersport.com.

    “Another thing about him was that he was fearless and a goal-getter, who never believed in impossibilities. Like I said it is a sad day for the game in Nigeria, and also Africa, but his exploits will forever be remembered and they will serve as a guide for young coaches and footballers on the continent.”

    The “Big Boss,” as Keshi was nicknamed, played at senior international level for Nigeria for more than a decade, before leading his country to AFCON triumph in 2013 in South Africa.

    He was one of two men to have the AFCON as a player and coach — the other being Egyptian legend Mahmoud El-Gohary.

    Keshi died on June 8 at the age of 54 in Benin City, Edo State.

     

  • To Keshi, a tribute

    I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news of your death. How could you die so soon with so much to still offer Nigeria, Africa and the world? Where were you rushing to? How can you leave us just like that? Keshi!Haba Coach!! Haba Big Boss!!! These and many more questions are still running through my mind even as I write this tribute to you.

    You are one Nigerian that really makes me proud that I am Nigerian. And I know you make many other Nigerians proud of our nation. Throughout your career as a football player and coach, you tried your best to represent our nation in a positive light. I really do appreciate you for that.

    And I just want to say thank you, Keshi.

    While writing this, I came across this quote by Ralph Marston. He said “What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it – would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.”

    After reading the quote I found myself asking: Did Nigeria appreciate you, Keshi? Did we as Nigerians really appreciate you the way we ought to? Did we appreciate what you did for us as a nation in the area of football? Did we appreciate the influence you had on the game of football (as a player and coach) here in Nigeria, Africa and in other parts of the world?  Did we honour you the way you should have been honored as our FOOTBALL ICON? Did we celebrate you while you were still with us? Is it possible that you were taken away from us prematurely because as a nation we neglected to appreciate the gift we had in you?

    Why do we take for granted the people who represent Nigeria in a great and positive way? WHY? I really wonder WHY? Keshi I am sorry we as Nigerians did not appreciate you the way we should have when you were still here with us. Please forgive us.

    As Pele the world’s greatest footballer once said “Success is no accident. It is studying, sacrifice and most of all love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Coach Keshi your success as an accomplished Nigerian international football player and coach was not an accident. You worked hard at your game as a player! As a captain you worked hard on your teammates. You brought out the best in them and motivated them to score the goals and win the games! As a coach you worked hard on your players and inspired them to go way beyond the call of duty and they did because you had set the example for them emulate.

    You worked smart. You studied hard! You even learnt a new language (i.e. French) in the pursuit of greener “football” pastures. You were committed to the game of football, your teammates, the players you coached and your nation Nigeria. You loved the game of football! You were the game! And the game was you! You were a game changer. And you were the game maker! You always found a way to get the job done despite the many unending challenges you faced from many different quarters. You loved your nation Nigeria and you loved Nigerians and the Super Eagles fans. You were a football legend from my nation Nigeria! I am so proud of you!

    And I just want to say thank you, Keshi.

    You played in five African Cup of Nation tournaments. You were the Super Eagles captain when they won the African Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) in Tunisia in 1994. And in spite of all the bad press and publicity you were getting at the time, you were the game changer that helped the Super Eagles to win the AFCON Cup and qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. Your commitment to playing for Nigeria was exemplary. When the Super Eagles had to play matches in Nigeria you didn’t wait for your ticket to be sent to you before appearing for the match. You would fly into Nigeria on your own funds and later work out how to get a refund later.

    You scored a total of nine goals (as a defender) while playing international football for the Super Eagles and Nigeria. You appeared 64 times in the green white green colours. You understood every word in the saying “Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they’ll remember the name on the back.”That is exactly what you did!

    And I just want to say thank you, Keshi.

    Some time ago Jose Mourinho said “I hate to speak about individuals. Players don’t win you trophies, teams win trophies, squads win trophies”. You had a great insight of that and that is why you were an extraordinary team player. You spoke up for your teammates. You stood up for your teammates. You put yourself on the line for the sake of your teammates, so much so that they nicked name you “BIG BOSS”even though you were teammates. Your teammates knew that they could count on you and that you had their backs covered. You went out of your way to introduce and expose Nigerian football players to European football clubs and other football clubs around the world. You helped many Nigerian football players become international professionals players in Europe and other countries. You represented Nigeria so well abroad that football scouts and agents came to Nigeria looking for more gifted football players like yourself.

    You were the only coach to date that has taken the Togolese national team to the World Cup. You also coached the Malian national team. After which you coached the Super Eagles. You are probably the only African that has coached three different national teams in Africa.

    There are only two African soccer stars in history that won the AFCON Cup as player, captain and also as a coach. And you are one of the two. You and Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary. As the captain of the Super Eagles, you and the Super Eagles) won the AFCON Cup in 1994. And as a coach, you and the Super Eagles won the Cup in 2013. Arsene Wenger once said “A manager [in this case a coach] is a guide. He takes a group of people and says, ‘with you I can make us a success; I can show you the way.” As a coach you did exactly that in Togo, Mali and Nigeria.

    And I just want to say thank you, Keshi.

    Your death is painful to me. It hurts that you left so soon. My heart aches when I remember you are no longer with us.

    Nigeria lost a GREAT FOOTBALL ICON and LEGEND in you, when you played your last game and left this football field of life.

    You are a LEGACY. And you left a LEGACY. You achieved so much for yourself. You achieved so much for others. More importantly you achieved so much for our nation Nigeria. You made us Nigerians proud! You left a part of yourself in each of our hearts to stay behind as you go on to the great beyond. You sowed a seed in our hearts so that each one of us can also leave a LEGACY in Nigeria just like you did!

    Thank you Keshi, for the numerous things you did in your lifetime that made us proud of you and our nation Nigeria.

    I will miss you! We will miss you!! Nigeria will miss you!!!

     

    Ms Simoyan writes from Lagos.

  • Keshi’s Johannesburg memorial takes place July 23

    Keshi’s Johannesburg memorial takes place July 23

    A memorial service for ex- Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has been fixed for July 23 in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Keshi died on June 7 in Benin City, Nigeria, after a brief illness.

    The event which will be organised by the “Friends of Keshi” precedes the official state funeral in Nigeria on July 29.

    Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, told Supersport.com that the group is determined to honour Keshi by bringing his friends together.

    “Nigerians and other legends who cannot make the trip to the funeral ceremony taking place in Nigeria will have an opportunity to honour the ‘Big Boss.’

    “Keshi won the AFCON 2013 here in South Africa and has a lot of friends and fans here,” he told supersport.com.

    Peterside also confirmed that some leading football figures will attend the event.

    “We are in touch with Neil Tovey, Kalusha Bwalya, and a host of other legends who will grace and speak at the service,” he added.

  • Senate asks FG to immortalize Keshi, Amodu

    The Senate on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to immortalize late former coaches of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu.

    The resolution followed the adoption of two motions on the demise of Keshi and Amodu sponsored by Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba.

    Apart from urging the federal government to immortalize the two late coaches, the upper chamber also resolved to send two separate delegations to their families and governments of Delta and Edo States to commiserate with them.

    While Keshi hailed from Delta State, Amodu was born in Okpella area of Edo State.

    The lawmaker also observed a minute silence in hour of the departed coaches.

    Senator Ogba in his lead debate reeled out the exploits of Keshi and Amodu in the sports arena and how they made the country proud in their engagements.

    He regretted that Keshi and Amodu died at relatively young age especially when their services were required by the country.

    He noted that the coaches’ demise was a huge shock to him.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also lamented the death of Keshi and Amodu.

    The resolutions were unanimously adopted.

  • Keshi: Foreign pathologist, CP Wilson Akhiwu to perform autopsy

    Keshi: Foreign pathologist, CP Wilson Akhiwu to perform autopsy

    Foreign Pathologist and Commissioner of Police, Wilson Akhiwu have been confirmed to perform the autopsy on the late Stephen Keshi to ascertain what led to his sudden death.

    Family sources said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Amaju Pinnick will bear the expenses for the pathologists.

    The family sources also said that the delay in  autopsy is due to the absence of Jennifer, the eldest daughter of the late former super Eagles coach.

    Jennifer is expected to arrive Nigeria today from the United States of America, and possibly be in Benin same day.

  • Keshi’s burial plans begin with government consultations

    Keshi’s burial plans begin with government consultations

    After a torrid week in the history of Nigerian football during which two greats, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu passed on, burial plans for Keshi is expected to commence this week with meetings to be held with various strata of government. Amodu was buried  Sunday, according to muslim rites.

    Indications have already emerged that Keshi will be buried in his ancestral home of Illah, in Delta State, with the Federal Government, Edo, Delta and Cross River state governments already indicating interest to be part of the burial ceremony. More states are expected to indicate interests.

    Family sources said Abuja, the Federal Capital, will be the first port of call, with players of the national team expected to be led by Super Eagles Skipper John Mikel Obi also be reached to play a part in the burial ceremony of one of the greatest things to happen to Nigerian football as player and later coach in Stephen Keshi. His children are also expected to start arriving from the United States later this week as arrangements peak for his burial.