Keshi’s burial rites begin today

THE final journey of Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi will begin in Benin City, Edo State today. On Wednesday, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the final rites would now be confined to Edo and Delta States.

 The NFF delegation to the final rites will be led by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and will include, among others, Mr. Frank Ilaboya (Chairman of the Edo State Football Association), Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC) and Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management Company). Keshi, one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as coach, died in Benin City on Wednesday, 8th June at the age of 54. The charismatic libero captained the Senior National Team for 11 years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze. In 2013, as Coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi lifted the Cup of Nations again after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final at Soccercity in Johannesburg. In a 44 –month spell as head strategist of the Super Eagles, Keshi also took the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, led the team to the FIFA Confederations Cup and qualified Nigeria for the African Nations Championship for the first time, winning bronze at the competition. Family sources have also confirmed that the remains of the legend will be interred at his hometown, Illah, on Friday.