Football world mourns Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, who died June 7, 2016, aged 54.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach, died of heart attack in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
World football governing body, FIFA, Confederation of African Football, Nigeria Football Federation and Eagles assistant coach, Joseph Yobo, were among those who paid tributes to the ex-Eagles coach.
Others include former Ghanaian international and CAF Deputy General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, former Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba and Eagles defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Shehu Abdullahi.
“Stephen Keshi led the Super Eagles to Africa Cup of Nations glory as player and coach and was the first African coach to qualify two African nations for the World Cup. We sadly lost a legend #OnThisDay in 2016,” FIFA wrote on Twitter.
“Today we remember captain fantastic, Stephen Keshi, who left our world on this sad day four years ago. In 2013, Keshi became the second person to win the #TotalAFCON title as player (1994) and coach, when he led Super Eagles to their third trophy in South Africa,” CAF tweeted.
The NFF added, “Today, (Sunday) we remember former Super Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Keshi. Big Boss, we miss you, continue to rest in the Lord’s bosom.#WeRememberKeshi.”
Yobo, Omeruo and Abdullahi, who played for the Eagles under Keshi, also joined in celebrating the former Anderlecht defender.
“Dear coach, it’s been four years today since you left us to rest with the Lord. You are deeply missed but your legacy lives on! Rest on the Big Boss,” Yobo wrote on Instagram.
Omeruo also penned an emotional note on Instagram.
“It’s been four years already and I am still hoping I would one day pick up the phone and call you like I used to. I miss you. But I am sad , am very sad that I am beginning to get used to your absence.
“But one thing I will never forget, is your advice, your encouragements, you gave me more than one chance and you told me several times, until it stuck to my head, that everyone cannot love me, you told me to work hard always and not expect to be favored because hard work always wins. You gave me an opportunity at a very young age even when I wasn’t expecting it,” he wrote.
“Continue to rest Stephen Keshi. Thanks for the opportunity with the 2014 CHAN team,” Abdullahi tweeted.
“Today we remember you captain Keshi,” Drogba said.
“Four years ago, the Big Boss Stephen Keshi left us. Great player, leader, great coach, continue to rest well Stephen,” Baffoe tweeted.
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