#RIPKeshi: The World Mourns the “Big Boss”

The football world woke up to the shocking news of the passing one of Nigeria’s finest player and coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

Emmanuel Ado a brother to the late coach said that the 54-year-old died of Cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, June 8th.

“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). Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th 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,” Ado said in a statement.

The Chairman of the Edo State Football Association (EFA), Frank Ilaboya quoting Keshi’s family member, Ricky Aburimen, said that he only complained of a leg ailment while holidaying at his Airport road home in Benin before he passed away on the way to hospital at about 3 AM.

Along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El–Gohary, Keshi is one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and coach. He is also the only Nigerian coach to have lifted the trophy.

Keshi had his debut game for the Super Eagles in 1981 at age 20, and retired in 1994. He had 64 caps and scored 9 goals.

Keshi who qualified the Togolese football team for the 2006 world cup (the only coach to have done so for the country) also managed the Malian national football team.

He is the fifth member of the glorious 1994 Super Eagles team to die, after Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and Wilfred Agbonavbare.

The Big Boss is survived by four children and his mother.

Nigerians, and indeed the world have been mourning the football icon since the news of his death.

First Johan Cruyff, then we lost Muhammed Ali, I wasn’t even over it and I wake up to hearing and legend is dead..?? #RIPKeshi #RIPBigBoss

— Ayomide (@erik_erikado) June 8, 2016

The big boss has gone to meet his dear wife.Wht a sad end .at least he left back lots of indelible marks #RIPKeshi

— Iyke Igbozendu (@IykeIgbozendu) June 8, 2016

#stephenkeshi s’en va, une grosse perte pour le football africain. Je l’aimais bcp;#RIPKeshi pic.twitter.com/pQ844CTmsr

— lietbouo alain georg (@lietbouo) June 8, 2016

The news of Stephen Keshi’s death is too heartbreaking.it’s a reminder of how short life is,make an impact before your time is up.#RIPKeshi

— The_A (@officialaramide) June 8, 2016

He made me able to say, I was alive to see Nigeria win a trophy.. it’s just sad..???? #RIPKeshi

— Ayomide (@erik_erikado) June 8, 2016

Stephen Keshi has earned a state burial. Few folks have contributed to our collective happiness as he did over more than 3 decades #RIPKeshi

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 8, 2016

Dumitru, Ali, now Keshi… the world of sport has lost some major generals in recent times #RIPKeshi #RIPTed #RIPAli pic.twitter.com/0ZjVpm5U7c

— M.Youshaa Hoosen (@myhoosen) June 8, 2016

We join Nigeria in mourning the death of one their own, Stephen Keshi.
We pray God sees his family through.
Adieu pic.twitter.com/wnEGDTd33K

— 5ive Music (@5iveMusicGroup) June 8, 2016

RIP Stephan Keshi, our thoughts and prayers goes out to you and your family. May your soul be at Peace. pic.twitter.com/ufeXcFYfmg

— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 8, 2016

it so so sad Coach Stephen Keshi is gone,felt so much pains wen i had abt d news dis morning,#RIPKeshi @CoolFMNigeria,#weluvu but God luv u

— Ezekiel utibe marvy (@Ezekielutibe) June 8, 2016

Its hard to believe that Stephen Keshi D big boss is dead, indeed d entire African soccer body & fans Mainly Nigerians will miss him. RIP.SK

— cassidy madueke (@cassidymdk) June 8, 2016

Woke up to the shocking news of the abrupt exit of The Big Boss. Do your best and let posterity remember you for good #RIPBigBoss #RIPKeshi

— Solomon Sunday Tommy (@SouloSkillz) June 8, 2016

All at CFC are saddened to hear of former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi’s death. He worked with Mikel & Victor Moses. pic.twitter.com/ejohJrRSUP

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 8, 2016

“People don’t have to believe in you for you to succeed. Just work hard. When you succeed, they will believe” – Stephen Keshi

— Delia Innoma (@Deliainnoma) June 8, 2016

You don’t know the value of wat u’ve got till u lost it…rip “Stephen keshi” aka “BIG BOSS”

— Phumbeey (@fhumbeey) June 8, 2016

I’m very hurt about Stephen Keshi’s death, he seemed immortal to me. It is well, may he rest in peace.

— Ig@darlingbiba (@habiba_tanko) June 8, 2016

Another Legend falls, condolences to the entire football fraternity – we’ve become poorer without #StephenKeshi pic.twitter.com/nJhfUJqjS3

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) June 8, 2016

R.I.P big Boss,Thank u for everything??? pic.twitter.com/g2AZ3pfR4p

— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) June 8, 2016

I feel anguished waking up to the news that Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles captain and coach has passed on.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 8, 2016

Keshi was such an admirable and dedicated man who did Nigeria proud with his talent in the game of football. May he rest in peace.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 8, 2016

Stephen Keshi? Oh, l’m truly sad. He was special, representing a bridge between what was and what could be. We chose what was. Rest boss.

— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) June 8, 2016

I am too shocked for words. Stephen Keshi is gone #RIPKeshi #RIPBigBoss. You opened the door for all of us.

— Joseph Yobo (@jyobo234) June 8, 2016

He was a real BOSS. He knew when to allow his boys shine & when to take the shine himself #RIPKeshi @channels_sports pic.twitter.com/DoiZHr0ua6

— Segun Sopitan (@SegunSopitan) June 8, 2016

My brother, my friend, my captain. You will defend and lead in heaven #RIPKeshi #RIPBigBoss pic.twitter.com/i9fUdBUk84

— Victor Ikpeba (@V_Ikpeba) June 8, 2016

While still mourning Muhammad Ali, the greatest sporting sensation of our generation, it’s time up for another great sports icon. #RIPKeshi

— Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu) June 8, 2016

He created joy even amongst kings #RIPStephenKeshi #RIPKeshi @temiokomi @ALIBABAGCFR pic.twitter.com/jlGpyIuXuW

— Segun Sopitan (@SegunSopitan) June 8, 2016

So so sad! Rest in Peace Stephen Keshi. #RIPKeshi

— Toolz O.D (@ToolzO) June 8, 2016

Today we’ve lost a legend. #RIPKeshi pic.twitter.com/OwTveP4OyJ

— Sterling Bank Plc (@Sterling_Bankng) June 8, 2016

Not only with Super Eagles team did Stephen Keshi performed Miracles.He was a savior to TOGOLESE football team
This guy was GREAT!#RIPKeshi

— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) June 8, 2016

News of the demise of Stephen Keshi has just reached me. It is a sad day for Nigerian football. My prayers are with his family #RIPKeshi

— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) June 8, 2016

While you’re here, live and be happy. Be thankful for what you have. Enjoy your journey and leave a print in the Sands of time #RipKeshi

— Sarz VS Sarz (@beatsbysarz) June 8, 2016

A cool coach, ever smiling & always chewing gum on that Super Eagles bench. #RIP The Big Boss. Big loss to African football #StevenKeshi

— Tich Ray (@TichRay) June 8, 2016

Sad, ‘Big boss’ #StephenKeshi has passed. Condolences to his family. Enjoyed playing under his command with #Mali pic.twitter.com/wjgxGhMV3g

— Fred Oumar KANOUTÉ (@FredericKanoute) June 8, 2016

June has robbed earth of some great sports men tho RIP Mohammed Ali, RIP Stephen Keshi ?? pic.twitter.com/0vbsDX9Bjj

— Trhymesz™CRAZETIVITY (@Trhymesz) June 8, 2016

#RIP Stephen Keshihttps://t.co/nfeFZ3HA7g pic.twitter.com/73HPgyx8pn

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 8, 2016

The football family has lost a great member. Heartfelt condolences to family & friends of #StephenKeshi & @thenff pic.twitter.com/vyPmDyptn5

— Fatma Samoura (@fatma_samoura) June 8, 2016