The funeral Mass for the late former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has begun at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport road in Benin, Edo State.
Keshi died on June 8 in Benin at the age of 54, after a 44-month spell as coach of the Super Eagles.
The remains of the former captain of the senior national team were brought through the centre aisle of the church in company of his children, family members and friends.
Keshi died on June 8 in Benin at the age of 54, after a 44-month spell as coach of the Super Eagles.
He was one of the only two to have won the African Cup of Nations both as player and as coach in 1994 and 2013.
Present at the ceremony is a delegation of Nigeria Football Federation, led by its President, Amaju Pinick.
Also present is the Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Frank Ilaboya, Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC), Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management and his former team mates including Austin Eguavoen.
Keshi will be finally laid to rest in Illah, his home town tomorrow.
Below are photos from the church service:
Speaking at the church premises, Pinnick described Keshi as a “super hero” who was renowned for doing the extraordinary.
“I have always described him as a super hero because he was a super hero. He did not do things that were regular he did things that were extraordinary.
The NFF president also reiterated that the federation would honour the late icon.
“That (honour) is definitely going to be done,” Pinnick added.
One of the in-laws of the late Keshi, Richard Aburimen, said that the late coach would remain in the hearts of his loved ones.
Aburimen said,”Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was, quintessentially a good man, a man of peace. He was a giver; he never held back and that why he was as big as he was.”
The officiating priest, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ofere, said that Keshi lived an exemplary live as a member of the parish, where he contributed selflessly to the development of football.
According to Ofere, the football icon was always willing to serve, even in the midst of scarce resources.
While stressing the need to believe in the resurrection, the priest noted that death was not the end of the life of a true Christian.
Ofere also added that righteousness and true worship of God were prerequisites for Christians who desire to see God.
The body of the former Super Eagles captain was later moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for a novelty match between ex-internationals and all stars, before leaving for a lying-in-state and tributes at the indoor hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.
The late Keshi was one of the only two to have won the African Cup of Nations both as player and as coach in 1994 and 2013.
