Football world mourns 'Big Boss'

The football world has been mourning the sudden death of former Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi.

The ‘Big Boss’, as he was fondly called died of cardiac arrest early today in Benin City, according to family sources.

Reacting to his sudden demise were present and past footballers, top officials, the international football federations.

In his letter addressed to NFF president Amaju Pinnick, The President, the Confederation of African Football(CAF) Issa Hayatou wrote: “We have learned with great dismay and immense sadness the passing away of African and Nigerian football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi today.

“Even if Stephen Keshi left us too early, he achieved an i n c r e d i b l e career, both as a player and as a coach, being one of only two people in African football history, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El- Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player, in Tunisia in 1994, and as a coach, in South Africa in 2013.

Former Nigerian sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi saluted: “That we were victorious and won the Nation’s Cup after 19 years was largely due to the leadership provided to the team by Keshi.

“He was passionate and committed to the Super Eagles team as he was to Nigerian football.

“Keshi’s love for Nigeria was never in doubt, whether as a coach, captain of the Super Eagles or footballer.”

Keshi’s former Nigeria teammate and his replacement as the Super Eagles coach,Sunday Oliseh wrote: “Horrible news & sad day as our legendary captain & brother Stephen Keshi dies. May his blessed soul rest in peace. We lost an iconic hero today.”

Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobe, said:" I am too shocked for words. Stephen Keshi is gone RipKeshi #RipBigboss.You opened the door for all of us.

Also a former coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde said: "I cannot say anything now than to express sadness over his death."

Hapoel Be’er Sheva of Israel and current Nigeria international, John Ogu, who made his debut for Nigeria under Keshi, remains in shock: “Please tell me it’s a lie that Keshi is gone!!!Please tell me it’s all false.

“Please I beg you in the name of God that it’s all false that Keshi is Gone. Big boss please!!!!! Don't do this boss,” he wrote.

Former African footballer of the year and Zambian legend, Kalusha Bwalya, was also not left out as he expressed shock at the death of the ‘Big Boss’.

“Woke up to the sad news of the passing of my brother Stephen Keshi. I can't believe it. I am in shock, football legend. RIP.

“I can't believe it. I am in shock my brother. Keshi and myself started almost at the same time in Belgium (1986) RIP.”

Keshi, 54, was set to return to coaching after he was sacked a year ago by Nigeria.

He also led Nigeria to her third African Cup of Nations title in 2013 – the first in 19 years – as well as leading them to the second round of the World Cup the following year.