Sports

Three years on, NFF, fans pay tribute to ‘The Big Boss’ Stephen Keshi

Published

June 7, 2019

Three years after his death on this day, football fans are paying tributes to the late defender and Coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi.

The former Super Eagles captain and former coach died at 54 in Benin, Edo state capital after suffering from Cardiac arrest on Wednesday, June 7th, 2016.

During his playing career for Nigeria, he represented the country at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, captaining the Super Eagles to victory in the latter.

As Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi popularly called ‘The Big Boss’ led the team to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, making him one of only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a manager.

Aside from coaching Nigeria’s national team, he also achieved success by qualifying Togo for the only FIFA World Cup appearance in its history in Germany 2006.

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In remembrance of his impact and achievements as a player and as a Coach, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to pay glowing tributes to the former Super Eagles skipper on the third anniversary of his death.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) tweeted:

On this day in 2016. We lost a gem, patriot in Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. We can never forget all you did for Nigeria. Keep resting on Soldier! #WeRememberKeshi pic.twitter.com/v64J4C6F4s

— The NFF ?? (@thenff) June 7, 2019

See some of the reactions:

He trusted his players despite backlash from Nigerians & he made us happy winning the Nations Cup.

The Greatest Boss – Stephen Keshi. Sleep on! #PoojaFootball https://t.co/gmeUDIHs6k

— POOJA… (@PoojaMedia) June 7, 2019

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

Father, Legend, Captain & Leader

Coach Stephen Keshi died on this day in 2016.

First African to qualify 2 different nations to the World Cup.

Second man to win AFCON as player & coach.

Only African coach to appear in the knockout phase of a WorldCup.pic.twitter.com/iht97Fz0VQ

— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) June 7, 2019

STEPHEN KESHI
(23rd January, 1962-7th June,2016)
A man who laboured so hard for NIGERIA & changed the football face of this country & yet departed without commensurate national recognition. #stephenkeshi #football #Supereagles #Afcon2019 #Egypt2019 pic.twitter.com/KId4atVnhi

— Maidugu (@maidugu) June 7, 2019

#OTD in 2016 : “Big Boss” Stephen Keshi departed the surface of the earth.

He’s one of the only two Africans alongside Mahmoud El-Gohary?? to win the #AFCON both as a player and a coach. pic.twitter.com/VVYsHff1av

— Baojis®™ (@ojobabatundeiso) June 7, 2019

The only African coach to qualify two different African teams for the FIFA World Cup. The only African coach to qualify an African team for the 2nd round of the FIFA world cup. The only indigenous coach to win the AFCON for Nigeria
“Legend” does not do Stephen Keshi justice#RIP#

— Nasesco (@NASESCO) June 7, 2019