Today is Super Eagles Late Coach, and Legend, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi ‘s Post-humous birthday, He should have been 56 today and he has been remembered by the Brila Family.
Stephen Keshi was the only Nigerian who claimed the Africa Nations Cup Gold as a player and coach. He captained the Super Eagles in 1994 to victory at the Cup of Nations in Tunisia and also led the squad to victory as a manager in 2013.
Stephen was to be called up to have a stint with the Junior Eagles before he moved up the ranks to join the Super Eagles to play in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
Referred to as the “Big Boss”, Stephen Keshi traveled far and wide the world to play his football trade, and he was loved by Nigerians for his rugged playing styles and determined winning mentality. Stephen Keshi earned over 60 caps with the National team, while he represented the country at the Africa Cup of Nations and Also the FIFA World Cup.
Togo, little known in the world of football started from the bottom and moved all the way to qualify for the World Cup in Germany in 2006. This cemented his place as a top football great in Nigeria and world football history.
He quickly left Togo when he was called up to help redeem the Super Eagles image and he won the Nations Cup in 2013. Thereafter he became the first manager of An African Country to move a country to the knockout phase of the World Cup. An amazing man with great grit, wit, and talent for the sport. Not only was he talented, he was super passionate about football as well.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Stephen Keshi helped the Super Eagles make a round of 16 qualifications with an eventual loss to France. After the match with France, he declared that he would no longer be a part of the Super Eagles by announcing his resignation. However, the NFF offered him to help the team out with two more matches!
Following a break down in negotiations with the NFF, he lost interest in the Super Eagles job and left finally.
In 1994 – A year that Stephen Keshi led the country as a Captain to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also led the Country to the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
In 2013 – When he led Nigeria as a coach to qualify for the 2013 Cup of Nations after defeating Burkina Faso 1 – 0 in the final. Keshi also helped Nigeria on November 16 to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after defeating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in a playoff match.
He passed away in Edo State, Benin City in the morning of the 7th of June, 2016. Stephen died of a heart attack en route the hospital.