Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the sudden demise of legendary ex-soccer star and former national coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi as an untimely loss of a golden sports gem and a pacesetter.
Atiku in a condolence message issued by his media office in Abuja on Wednesday, 08 June, expressed shock and sadness at the passing on of Keshi at the age of 54.
“It saddens my heart to learn of the stunning news of the death of the golden boy of Nigeria football. His departure is more touching when one recalls that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer late last year thus rendering their young children hapless orphans.
“While praying for the repose of the soul of this fallen hero, I would also beseech God Almighty to grant fortitude and grace to the mother, four children, family members and friends that the deceased compatriot left behind”, Atiku said.
Atiku recalled that Keshi was the longest serving national football captain in Nigeria, with 64 caps, and the first to win the African Cup of Nations as a player in 1994 and a national coach in 2013.
The former Vice President also emphasized the urgent need for governments at local and national levels to always honour the good deeds of our heroes past.
“His heroic labour (and of those before and after him) should not be in vain”.
