ADVERTISEMENT
Google celebrates Stephen Keshi but Nigerian government doesn't seem to care
Nigerian government is notorious for not honouring personalities that have done more than ordinary for the country.
Keshi was born in Azuri, Bauchi state Nigeria and he has played soccer across Africa, Europe and the United States.
He was the captain of the Super Eagles to the Tunisia 1994 where Nigeria lifted the CAF Nations Cup. Also, he coached the Super Eagles to another CAF Nations Cup victory in South Africa 2013.With this, Keshi became the only Nigerian to have won CAF Cup of Nations as a player and coach.
Despite Keshi’s contribution to the development of football in Nigeria, he has never been honoured by the Nigerian government even in death. One practice most Nigerians have called out their government for, but it seems there is no change in sight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keshi, the “Big Boss” as fondly called by friends, had 60 international caps for Nigeria. After a successful playing career, Keshi took full-time coaching and became the coach of the Togolese national team in 2014.
Under him as Togo’s football coach, he guided the West African country to its first World Cup appearance in 2006 (Germany).
In 2011, Keshi was appointed to coach the Super Eagles and in 2013, he added a CAF Cup of Nations to his shelf as the coach of the Super Eagles in South Africa.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he coached the team to the knockout round of the game. He, thus, became the first coach of African origin to lead a team to the knockout of the World Cup.
On June 7, 2016, Keshi had a heart attack and died on his way to the hospital.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT