Senate President Bukola Saraki described the former chief coach of
the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi as an excellent star with an unparallel
soccer artistry and leadership skill.
Stephen Keshi
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has described the former skipper and chief coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi as an excellent star with an unparallel soccer artistry and leadership skill.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki.(Daily Post)
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu
on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 Saraki said his death was both painful and
unfortunate coming at a time the nation is in dire need of wisdom and
rich experience of sports professionals like the Keshi to stabilize its
soccer architecture.
Saraki
lauded the contributions of Keshi to the development of football in the
country and extolled his doggedness and exemplary contributions that
saw the nation clinch international trophies both as a player and a
coach.
Saraki said: "Keshi was an excellent
star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His
days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a National
Coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as "Nigeria's golden
moments" in both national, continental and world soccer.
"Keshi
lost his wife late last year and today we heard the sad news of his
demise. This must be a heavy burden for the family to bear. His death at
54 is both a rude shock and highly unfortunate.
"Nonetheless,
we must take solace in the fact that he did his utmost for the
development of sports in Nigeria, Africa and the world, during his
sojourn on earth.
"As a player and coach,
he was instrumental to superlative victories for the national team. It
could be recalled that the 'Big Boss' as he was fondly called, made
history by winning the African Nation's Cup as a player in Tunisia 1994
and in South Africa 2013, he won again as a coach. He was perhaps the
only Nigerian to have achieved that feat.
"He
was a great source of inspiration to his contemporaries, team mates and
the younger generation who took to football and are still active in
sports across the world today. He shall be sorely missed," he said.
The
Senate President commiserated with the children and immediate family of
the deceased, the Government and people of Delta State, the Minister of
Youths and Sports, the nation's football governing body and the Super
Eagles over the painful loss.
While praying God to
grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, he urged his children,
loved ones and admirers to emulate the enviable lifestyle of industry
and patriotism of the late soccer hero.
He called on both the Federal and Delta State Governments to immortalize him.
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