Former Nigerian football coach Stephen Keshi dies aged 54

Nigeria have lost one of her biggest sporting heroes as former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, 54 died on Tuesday.

Keshi, who won the Africa Cup of Nations and player and coach passed on in Benin City, Nigeria after a suspected heart attack.

The former RSC Anderlecht of Belgium defender was on the radar of a number of clubs and countries of recent and was reportedly on his way to South Africa Premier League Soccer side Orlando Pirates before his demise.

One of his finest moments was helping leading Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as well as being captain of the side in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

A source close to the former Togo coach told supersport.co that Keshi was hale and hearty when they spoke on Monday but is equally shocked at the tragic news.

We spoke on Monday, he sounded hale and hearty to me but I must say I’m truly shocked. I’m numb right now.

“I can’t speak right now. I’m numb.”the source added.

Keshi made his Nigeria début as a 21-year-old in 1981 and went on to play for clubs like NNB, Stella Abidjan, Anderlecht of Belgium and Strasbourg of France among others.

He played 64 times for Nigeria scoring nine goals.

Source: Super Sport