Late Nigeria football icon, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, if alive would have been 56 today being January 23, 2018.
Sadly the big boss (as fondly called by fans and admirers) breaths no more but his memory lives on in our heart - for he did remarkable things for his dear nation Nigeria.
Keshi in his playing days was a central defender and he ensured a commanding presence in the field of play and that's where the 'big boss' nickname originated from.
Steven Keshi aka (The Big Boss)
Keshi was the first and only Nigerian to win the African nations cup as a player and as a coach. He captained the Nigerian side that won the Nations cup in 1994 and he also won it as a manager in 2013.
As a tribute to the 'Big Boss' here are five memories of Steven Keshi that Nigerians will never forget.
1. His late goal for Nigeria in AFCON 1992: Keshi scored a vital 89th minute winning goal for the then Green Eagles in the 1992 AFCON to give Nigeria a remarkable 2-1 over Senegal.
See clips of the goal below:
2. The 1994 AFCON:
Steven Keshi captained the Nigeria side that won the 1994 AFCON
Most would have forgotten that it was Steven Keshi that captained the Nigerian senior national team that won the 1994 AFCON and did superbly well in the 1994 World Cup.
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Keshi showed nothing short but sheer bravely in the tournament and at the end Nigeria lifted the Nations Cup.
3. Winning the 2013 AFCON:
Steven Keshi and the then Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan
At a time when many have given up on the abilities of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi led the Nigeria Super Eagles to a remarkable African Nations Cup victory in 2013. Making him the first player in Nigerian history to win the prestigious trophy as a player and as a manager.
4. Qualifying Nigeria for the 2014 World Cup:
Nigerians will always remember the Big Boss
Gone are the days when everyone felt that it was our birthright to qualify for the World Cup. Sadly that is no longer the trend as there are no minnows in African football any longer.
Little wonder many top teams no longer makes it to the World Cup and even AFCON. But our own Stephen Keshi qualified Nigeria for the World Cup same way he had previously qualified Togo to the World Cup.
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Keshi set a record in African football by being the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup Finals.
5. His boldness:
The 'Big Boss' was not one to push around easily
Keshi was a bold man in his days and this Nigerians love about him. He is not one that can be pushed around as it was evident in his relations with the Nigerian elite football body the NFF.
Russia 2018: Nigerians predict Super Eagles chances at the World Cup - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Sports.naija.ng
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