Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has said hailed the virtues of the late Stephen Keshi saying he will forever remain “a role model” to upcoming coaches and footballers in Nigeria and Africa.

Keshi was laid to rest on Friday at his hometown in Ilah, Delta State, but Chukwu believes that the former Super Eagles captain has etched his name among the legends of the game in Africa and will continue to be a reference point in soccer.

“It is a sad day for the game of football in Nigeria, and by extension Africa, as Stephen Keshi is buried. He did his best for Nigeria. It is no more news that he paved the way for many players to go abroad and make names for themselves. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach,” Chukwu told supersport.com.

“Another thing about him was that he was fearless and a goal-getter, who never believed in impossibilities. Like I said it is a sad day for the game in Nigeria, and also Africa, but his exploits will forever be remembered and they will serve as a guide for young coaches and footballers on the continent.”

The “Big Boss,” as Keshi was nicknamed, represented the Super Eagles at international level for more than a decade, before leading his country to AFCON triumph in 2013 as Chief coach in South Africa.

He was one of only two men to have won the AFCON as a player and coach — the other being Egyptian legend Mahmoud El-Gohary.

Keshi died on June 8 at the age of 54 in Benin City, Edo State.

Oludolapo Adelana

Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.