The Super Eagles of Nigeria have paid tribute to legendary captain and coach, Stephen Keshi on the ninth anniversary of his passing, honouring his enduring legacy in Nigerian football.
Keshi, affectionately called The Big Boss, died on June 7 2016 at the age of 54. Revered for his leadership, both on the pitch and from the sidelines, he remains the only Nigerian to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
In a tribute shared via its official X account on Sunday, the Nigeria national team hailed Keshi’s impact on the Super Eagles and his belief in local talent.
“Today, we remember The Big Boss. As both a captain and coach, Keshi led the Super Eagles with passion, pride, and an unshakable belief in Nigerian talent,” the statement read.
“He guided Nigeria to its third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013, becoming only the second person in history to win the tournament as both player and coach.
“His leadership inspired generations, and his vision helped elevate Nigerian football on the global stage.
“Forever in our hearts, forever a Super Eagle. Rest in power, ‘Big Boss’.”
Current Super Eagles captain who debuted under Keshi, William Troost-Ekong, simply wrote, “RIP IDOL,” as he quoted the tribute, a day after celebrating his ten-year stint with the national team.
Joining in the remembrance was Nigerian lawmaker and football enthusiast, Akin Alabi, who posted a vintage video of Keshi from his playing days.
In the accompanying caption, he praised the former central defender for his elegance and technical ability.
“The Big Boss, Stephen Keshi was a baller. From this clip, you wouldn’t even know he was a defender. A central defender!” Alabi wrote.
“I regard him as the greatest ever sportsman from Nigeria. Continue to rest in peace.”
Born on January 23 1962, Keshi had an illustrious playing career that saw him earned 60 caps for Nigeria and captaining the Eagles to glory at the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia. That same year, he featured prominently as Nigeria made its debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
At club level, Keshi represented several teams across Africa, Europe and Asia, most notably Anderlecht in Belgium, where he won the Belgian First Division title in 1991. His playing career also included spells in Ivory Coast, France, the United States, and Malaysia.
Credit: punchng.com
