Former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi. Photo: Super Eagles
Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations both as captain of the Super Eagles in 1994 and as coach in 2013.
After ten years of his death, the name of former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi will be inscribed on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to Nigerian football.
Former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami confirmed this during the late coach’s memorial lecture in Lagos.
The NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame is a national monument established by the Federal Government agency to immortalise Nigerians who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s international politics and diplomatic objectives through sports.
Keshi’s contributions as a sports diplomat and his role in advancing Nigeria’s foreign relations through football will be showcased and acknowledged at a ceremony on July 28, exactly one day before the 10th anniversary of his burial.
The event will also mark three years since the monument was erected within the premises of the NIIA in Lagos, with sponsorship from Dr Allen Onyema and Air Peace.
“The existing list will now be extended to include the name of former Nigerian Green Eagles captain and national team coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, CON. He has been considered worthy, and his contributions identified, justified and approved by the NIIA,” Odegbami said.
“Stephen Keshi played and captained the Nigerian national football team. He also coached and managed the National team of Nigeria to an African Cup victory, qualified and took another African national team, Togo, to the FIFA World Cup, personally opened the way and assisted a whole generation of Nigerian and other African football players in the transition to professional ranks in Europe.”
Keshi died on June 7, 2016, at the age of 54 in Benin City, Edo State, and was buried at his country home in Illah, Delta State.
He won the Africa Cup of Nations both as captain of the Super Eagles in 1994 and as coach in 2013. The former Anderlecht player also led Nigeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The man affectionately known as ‘Big Boss’ was named CAF Coach of the Year twice, in 2005 and 2013.
