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Tag: Stephen Keshi

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday mourned the sudden death of the former skipper and Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi.

    While Saraki described as a “rude shock” the news of the death of Keshi, Eweremadu expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former Super Eagles coach.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the sad occurrence was both painful and unfortunate coming at a time the nation is in dire need of wisdom and rich experience of sports professionals like the late international star to stabilize its soccer architecture.

    He lauded the monumental contributions of Keshi to the development of football in the country and extolled his doggedness and exemplary contributions that saw the nation clinch international trophies both as a player and a coach.

    Saraki said: “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a National Coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as “Nigeria’s golden moments” in both national, continental and world soccer.

    “Keshi lost his wife late last year and today we heard the sad news of his demise. This must be a heavy burden for the family to bear. His death at 54 is both a rude shock and highly unfortunate.

    “Nonetheless, we must take solace in the fact that he did his utmost for the development of sports in Nigeria, Africa and the world, during his sojourn on earth.

    “As a player and coach, he was instrumental to superlative victories for the national team.  It could be recalled that the “Big Boss” as he was fondly called, made history by winning the African Nation’s Cup as a player in Tunisia 1994 and in South Africa 2013, he won again as a coach. He was perhaps the only Nigerian to have achieved that feat.

    “He was a great source of inspiration to his contemporaries, team mates and the younger generation who took to football and are still active in sports across the world today. He shall be sorely missed,” he said.

    The Senate President commiserated with the children and immediate family of the deceased, the Government and people of Delta State, the Minister of Youths and Sports, the nation’s football governing body and the Super Eagles over the painful loss.

    While praying God to grant the Soul of the departed eternal rest, he urged his children, loved ones and admirers to emulate the enviable lifestyle of industry and patriotism of the late soccer hero.

    He called on both the Federal and Delta State Governments to immortalize him.

    Ekweremadu on his own said Keshi represented the best generation of the Super Eagles so far and described the ex-international’s death as a big blow to Nigerian football.

    This is contained in statement by his aide, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja

    Ekweremadu noted that late gaffer made Nigeria proud, not only as a successful captain and coach of the Super Eagles, but as one of the first crop of Nigerian players to export Nigeria’s football prowess to the world as a professional player.

    He said: “Keshi captained a generation of Super Eagles that was truly superlative in performance and bestowed on the national team the international fame, respect, and grandeur it enjoys till date.

    “He captained the Super Eagles to the 5th place in FIFA ranking, possibly the best by any African country so far, and capped it up by leading a younger generation of the national team to a successful campaign to the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “His death is, therefore, a big blow to us as a nation. Keshi deserves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly”.

    The Deputy Senate President called on stakeholders in the Nigerian football industry to use this period of mourning to embark on sober and deep reflections on the tumble in nation’s football fortunes.

    He prayed God to grant Keshi’s immediate family and the entire nation the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Keshi was a role model to us – Mutiu Adepoju

    Keshi was a role model to us – Mutiu Adepoju

    Erstwhile Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has said that most of them were looking up to the departed Stephen Keshi as a role model in the national team.

    “Before we joined the national team, we were all looking up to him as captain. He was such a cool and calm person who never talked too much while in the team. He was very firm and nice to all of us when we joined the team. He was respected on the team because of the way he carried himself,” he said.

    Adepoju, however described Keshi as a motivator, particularly during crucial matches involving the national team. “We all respect him because he had good intention and he was always motivating the team. When we joined the team, we had a good relationship with him.”

    The former 3SC star said he spoke to the late coach last month, while acknowledging that during his tenure as the gaffer of the Eagles, Keshi brought sanity to Nigerian football when he led the team to win the AFCON in 2013.

    “I think Nigeria will remember Keshi for his efforts to bring sanity to Nigerian football at a time when everybody has lost hope. He gave direction to Nigerian football by defying all odds, with the introduction of home-based players into the national team.

    “Particularly players that were now known, but he took the risk and it was these same players that ensured that we won the title in South Africa. He will also be remembered as the only Nigerian to win the AFCON as a player and as a coach. We will surely miss him and it was painful that he had to leave at this time,” Adepoju lamented.

  • Why I made Keshi captain – Onigbinde

    Why I made Keshi captain – Onigbinde

    Former Super Eagles handler, Adegboye Onigbinde has described the late national team captain, Stephen Keshi as a dedicated and committed Nigerian endowed with leadership qualities.

    Onigbinde told NationSport on Wednesday that he was shocked over the unexpected demise of Keshi adding that the nation would surely miss his service.

    “When I named the captain, I saw some qualities in him and he was also a dedicated player. He has this leadership trait that stands him out so it was easy for me to name him the captain of the senior national team in 1983. After then we were not that close, but I knew when he worked with Shuaibu Amodu as assistant coach and when he took charge of the team,” he said.

    “We will surely miss his service and it is unfortunate that he had to leave us at this time,” he added.

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  • Nigeria football won’t be same without Keshi – Buhari

    Nigeria football won’t be same without Keshi – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commiserated with the family of former Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, and Nigerians over the African Nations Cup (AFCON) winning coach’s untimely death.

    According to a post on the Presidency official social media handle, President Buhari lamented that “Nigeria today Wednesday) lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and citizen.

    “Nigerian football will not be the same without Stephen Keshi. He gave this country his all. May his soul rest in peace,” he summed.

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  • Autopsy will determine cause of Keshi’s death – Family

    Autopsy will determine cause of Keshi’s death – Family

    A member of the late Stephen Keshi’s family, Rickey Aburime, has said a toxicological autopsy will determine the actual cause of the ex-Super Eagles coach’s death.

    Keshi died at Faith Mediplex hospital in Benin, Edo State, where he was rushed to at about 11:30pm on Tuesday.

    Rickey warned against speculation about the cause of Keshi’s death and debunked media reports that Keshi died of heart attack.

    He said Keshi was meeting some friends and family members at his Benin City resident when he suddenly fell sick.

    According to Aburime, it took less than 15 minutes to rush the ex-Super Eagles captain to the hospital after the crisis started but was already dead by the time they got to the hospital.

    He said: “All of a sudden, they that noticed his countenance changed and he was not okay. The person with him called Ebuka and they rushed him to the hospital. He was dead by the time they got to the hospital. A nurse that checked him said there was no pulse. Doctors later confirmed him dead.

    “After the confirmation, as he was not a patient of the hospital, they could not write any report or present any death certificate. They said we must bring the police report and the police came to inspect the body. I am about to take the corpse to Stella Obasanjo hospital pending the autopsy which the family want to do. Dr. Wilson Akhiwu will conduct the autopsy.”

    “There is no official statement as to the cause of death. There will be no embalming. It was sudden and we don’t want anybody to speculate. There was no sign of ill health and Keshi has not complained of any recently.”

  • Footballing world mourns Keshi

    Footballing world mourns Keshi

    Football lovers, fans and umpires around the world on Wednesday mourn the shocking death of former Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, popularly known as the Big Boss.

    Following the announcement of Keshi’s death, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) said: “His influence on the pitch cannot be underestimated. He enjoyed a successful club career in his home continent before exporting his talents to Europe, starring in cup and league-winning Anderlecht sides and endearing himself to Strasbourg fans in France with a stunning long range goal against Rennes that helped promote Le Racing to Ligue 1.

    Throughout his stellar playing and managerial career, ‘Big Boss’ certainly allowed fans, team-mates and his own players themselves to dream. Tributes from around the footballing world have poured in for Keshi, after his tragic and sudden passing at the age of 54.

    Chelsea Football Club of England acknowledged the coaching impact of late Keshi in making great players like Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, both football players at Chelsea FC. The English club took to its social media platform to say: “All at CFC are saddened to hear of former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi’s death. He worked with Mikel & Victor Moses

    Similarly, Fatima Samoura, first female FIFA’s Secretary General appointed on 13 May 2016, expressed her great shock at the news when she posted on her social media handle saying:

    Brown Ideye, Nigeria’s central striker who plays his football with Greek club Olympiacos FC was not left out as he laments the tragic departure of  Big Boss from planet earth. Ideye in his social media post said: “This is one of the saddest days of my life?. I will never forget the happy days, you coached me. RIP Big boss?? pic.twitter.com/mqNhFhFzK3

    Other football bodies and individuals around the world as follow:

     

    FIFA further said in its article that it is Keshi’s international career that will perhaps evoke the strongest memories though. As well as playing his part in that memorable AFCON title in 1994, he helped guide the Super Eagles to their first FIFA World Cup™, playing five games on the road to the USA before featuring just once at the finals (as captain) due to injury.

    “With many African countries looking for coaching experience from outside the continent to lead their countries at major tournaments, Keshi was a beacon of hope for coaches from the mother continent. Not only was he the first Nigerian to lead his country to the AFCON title, he was the first African coach to lead a team to the Round of 16 at a World Cup, achieving that feat at Brazil 2014,” the world football governing body noted.

    The social media is agog with messages of condolence after news of Keshi’s death stunned the global footballing community.

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  • Ex- Super Eagles coach Keshi is dead

    Ex- Super Eagles coach Keshi is dead

    Former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is dead.

    Keshi, 54, popularly known as the big boss, reportedly died of cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday in Benin, Edo State.

    His death was confirmed in a statement issued by the family and signed by Emmanuel Ado, titled: “Stephen Keshi (CON) has gone to be with his wife.”

    “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 of  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.

    “We thank God for his life.

    “We want to ask for understanding in this very difficult time for the family,” Ado stated.

  • I was not contacted about Orlando Pirates’ job – Keshi

    I was not contacted about Orlando Pirates’ job – Keshi

    Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, on Friday said he was not approached by Orlando Pirates management to handle the team.

    Reports had suggested that the 2013 African Nations Cup (AFCON) winning coach is on the brink of joining the South African giants as Eric Tinkler’s replacement.

    However, the ex- Nigeria captain said he was never approached by the club.

    “Honestly I’m shocked to hear this,” Goal quoted Keshi as saying to supersport.com.

    “I don’t know where this is coming from because I have not discussed anything or offer with anyone and my representative has not done so too, or otherwise I would have been informed.

    “Like I told you the last time, if I’m approached and the deal meets my terms, why not? I’m a professional and open to offers provided they are good enough for me.”

  • Keshi’s wife buried

    Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, on Friday wept as the remains of his late wife, Kate, was interred in Edo State.

    Kate was buried at the Benin City residence of the Keshis after a funeral mass at the St Paul Catholic Church along Airport Road in Benin City.

    She died in December last year after a three -year battle with cancer.

    At the deceased’s grave site to bid her farewell were representatives of Delta State Government, her five children, friends and relatives, including some ex-Internationals.

    Speaking at the funeral mass, Rev. Father Paul Enow, urged the congregation to live a good a life while on earth.

    Rev. Enow said death was a necessary end which every mortal must experience.

    Kate’s body was conveyed in a Hearse vehicle provided by the LTJ Funerals Internationals.

    Those at the funeral are – Austine Eguaveon, Ike Shorunmu, Amodu Shuaib and Daniel Amokachi, among others.

    Keshi described his late wife as a unique woman.

    He thanked Nigerians for their prayers especially those present at the occasion.

    Eguavoen recalled how the deceased used to show concern and support during their days in the Super Eagles.

    He said the late Kate played a big role in her husband’s career.

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, consoled the family and described the woman’s death as painful.

  • Wanted! Messiah to expel ‘evil spirits’ from Stephen Keshi Stadium

    Wanted! Messiah to expel ‘evil spirits’ from Stephen Keshi Stadium

    Delta State is blessed with prodigious talents who have excelled in various sports. Its sporting prowess has been showcased both nationally and internationally where Nigerians of Delta origin have brought glory to the nation.

    But sporting infrastructure, which is key to grooming athletes, have received scant government attention. Many stadia scattered across the state have become a natural habitat for wild animals and a den for hoodlums.

    The Chief James Ibori administration in 1999 invested millions of tax payers’ money into building stadiums across the state, but sadly, all have fallen into decay with all of the stadiums performing functions other than they were intended.

    Among stadiums built are at Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, Ughelli Township Stadium, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Warri Township Stadium, Warri, Oghara Township Stadium, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Oleh Township Stadium, Isoko South Local Government Area, Sapele Township Stadium, Sapele Local Government Area and Stephen Keshi Stadium, Oshimili South Local Government Area.

    Aside the fact that a large majority are dilapidated, Sapele and Stephen Keshi stadiums have not been completed despite the fact that the contract sums have almost been fully paid for.

    Particularly worrying is the 18,000 capacity multi-purpose Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the Delta State capital, which has remained uncompleted 14 years after.

    The Stephen Keshi Stadium whose foundation stone was laid by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001 under Ibori’s administration has remained a project characterised by undue politicisation and mismanagement of funds.

    Investigation by Niger Delta Report revealed that the edifice which dominates the Asaba skyline was originally designated by the Asaba community as an evil forest where the undesirables of the community are buried.

    The stadium is a bleak hollow shell, discoloured by algae that have grown on the terraces and its walls cuts the picture of neglect and waste associated with the last administration.

    Adorning the entire stadium are scaffolding left behind by the delinquent contractors. The main bowl of the stadium is a tangled mass of tall grasses providing a natural habitat to wild animals.

    the uncompleted stadium
    the uncompleted stadium

    The blue long span roofing has been blown away in many sections into the compound of houses who have gratefully seized them to mend leaking roofs.

    The outgone Uduaghan administration dilly-dallied with construction efforts with no meaningful work done until its tenure expired

    Ex Commissioner of Information, Mr Chike Ogeah blamed the lack of development of the stadium to the fact that the facility lacked sufficient space to accommodate necessary facilities for expansion.

    The Delta State House of Assembly once probed the project but nothing came out of it.

    Assurances that both stadiums would be completed by April and July 2011 have turned out unfulfilled.

    The Uduaghan administration terminated the contract of the stadium in February 2013 with a promise to complete the stadium in six months’ time, but that was not to be.

    Prominent Asaba indigenes have expressed their frustration at the manner successive administration have toyed with the construction of the stadium.

    Former, Secretary to the defunct Bendel State Government, Chief Patrick Onyeobi lamented the state of the stadium, describing it as ‘pathetic and insulting to the people of Asaba’.

    He accused the Uduaghan administration of using the stadium as a conduit to loot the state’s treasury.

    Aside christening the stadium, the Uduaghan administration sought divine intervention in completing the stadium, hinging the slow pace of work on the spiritual manipulation by evil spirits.

    His words: “l have told God that l am not going to leave any abandoned project in this state.  We have been having challenges with the contractors in charge of this stadium. It was about becoming an abandoned project but this will not happen because it will be completed soon.”

    He invited the founder of Our Daily Manna, Dr Chris Kwakpovwe, to pray against the spiritual inhibition stalling the progress of the project.

    Uduaghan enjoined Dr Kwakpovwe to invoke the spirit of God on the stadium site to neutralise any negative spiritual inhibition.

    Kwakpovwe grabbed a clump of earth from the Stephen Keshi’s Stadium and prayed against any negative force stalling the completion of the stadium.

    Despite all the prayers, the Stephen Keshi Stadium has remained uncompleted. The battered edifice apparently jeering at the puny effort by government to remedy the situation.

    But the Dr Ifeanyi Okowa administration has strenuously denied it will abandon any project that has the capacity to add value to the lives of Deltans.

    Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, who spoke with Niger Delta Report, assured that the stadium would be built.

    His words: “I can assure you that the Okowa administration will not abandon any project that is aimed at adding value to the lives of Deltans. So, if anybody is coming with the impression that the stadium will be abandoned, that is not going to be true. The stadium is going to be given the same priority as other project that have the capability of positively affecting the people of the State. So you can take it to the bank that I am saying that Okowa will not abandon the stadium.”