Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, will be immortalised on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame as part of events marking the 10th anniversary of his death.
The Punch reported that former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami confirmed this during the late coach’s memorial lecture in Lagos.
The NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame is a national monument established by the Federal Government agency to honour Nigerians who have made significant contributions to the country’s international relations and diplomatic influence through sports.
Keshi’s legacy as a sports diplomat, as well as his influence in strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations through football, will be recognised at a ceremony scheduled for July 28, a day before the 10th anniversary of his burial.
The event will also commemorate three years since the monument was unveiled at the NIIA premises in Lagos, with support from Dr Allen Onyema and Air Peace.
“The existing list will now be extended to include the name of former Nigerian Green Eagles captain and national team coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, CON. He has been considered worthy, and his contributions identified, justified and approved by the NIIA,” Odegbami said.
“Stephen Keshi played and captained the Nigerian national football team. He also coached and managed the National team of Nigeria to an African Cup victory, qualified and took another African national team, Togo, to the FIFA World Cup, personally opened the way and assisted a whole generation of Nigerian and other African football players in the transition to professional ranks in Europe.”
Keshi passed away on June 7, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, at the age of 54, and was laid to rest in his hometown, Illah, Delta State.
During his illustrious career, he won the Africa Cup of Nations as captain of the Super Eagles in 1994 and later repeated the feat as coach in 2013. The former Anderlecht defender also guided Nigeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Fondly called ‘Big Boss’, Keshi was a two-time CAF Coach of the Year winner in 2005 and 2013.
