Football fans, former internationals bid Keshi farewell

Burial rites of Late Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi was held in Benin City today at the stadium after a requiem Mass held at the St Paul’s Catholic Church Benin City.

From Left: Femi Keshi, Stephanie Keshi, Jennifer Keshi, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Aburime and Amaju Pinnick(NFF President)

St Paul’s Catholic Church Choir

Keshi goes home after church service

Earlier football fans and former internationals gathered to bid farewell to Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi at Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Edo State.

The following are photos from the event at Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Edo State as captured by Vanguard 

Stephen Keshi’s daughter, Jennifer shakes hand with her father’s teammates before the exhibition match in tribute to Stephen Keshi during a farewell ceremony at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016.

Children and son in Law of Stephen Keshi (From L) Emeke Enyihor, Stephanie Enyihor, Femi and Jennifer stand beside the casket of football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi during a farewell ceremony at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016.

Children and son in Law of Stephen Keshi (From L) Emeke Enyihor, Stephanie Enyihor, Femi and Jennifer arrive for a farewell ceremony for football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City,

A wreath and a portrait of former Nigerian football coach Stephen Keshi are seen during a farewell ceremony at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016.

A wreath and a portrait of former Nigerian football coach Stephen Keshi are seen during a farewell ceremony at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO

Musicians play brass instruments as pallbearers carry the coffin of former Nigerian football coach Stephen Keshi during a farewell ceremony at the Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016.

Pallbearers carry the casket of football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi into Ogbe Stadium, in Benin City, on July 28, 2016.

The final journey of Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi  began in Benin City, Edo State yesterday.

 On Wednesday, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the final rites would now be confined to Edo and Delta States.

 The NFF delegation to the final rites is led by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and include, among others, Mr. Frank Ilaboya (Chairman of the Edo State Football Association), Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC) and Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management Company).

Keshi, one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as coach, died in Benin City on Wednesday, 8th June at the age of 54.

 The charismatic libero captained the Senior National Team for 11 years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze.

In 2013, as Coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi lifted the Cup of Nations again after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

 In a 44 –month spell as head strategist of the Super Eagles, Keshi also took the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, led the team to the FIFA Confederations Cup and qualified Nigeria for the African Nations Championship for the first time, winning bronze at the competition.

Keshi

Football fans and former internationals gathered to bid farewell to Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi at Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Edo State. Keshi, 54, one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as coach, will be interred tomorrow at his hometown

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/photos-football-fans-former-internationals-bid-keshi-farewell/