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| Keshi's remains lying in state at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin |
Burial activities of the
late coach of the senior national team, the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu
Keshi, began on Thursday in with a funeral mass held at St. Paul Catholic
Church, Airport road in Benin, Edo State.
Media
report continues:
His
remains were brought to the church in a black Mercedes-Benz ambulance, accompanied
by his children, family members and friends.
In
his homily, the officiating priest, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ofere, said that
Keshi lived an exemplary live as a member of the parish, where he contributed
selflessly to the development of football, adding that the late football icon
was always willing to serve, even in the midst of scarce resources.
Ofere
who harped on the need to believe in the resurrection, noted that death was not
the end of the life of a true Christian.
He
stressed that righteousness and true worship of God were prerequisites for Christians
who desire to see God.
Following
the church service was a novelty football match organized in honour of the late
Nigeria international, at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin.
His
body arrived at the stadium at about 11:50 am, accompanied by his children and
other family members, and was received by President of Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, Chairman of Edo State Football Association,
Frank Ilaboya, Hon. Philip Shaibu, a member of the Federal House of
Representatives and others.
Pinnick
who led the NFF delegation to the ceremony, described Keshi as a “super hero”
who was renowned for doing the extraordinary.
“I
have always described him as a super hero because he was a super hero. He did
not do things that were regular he did things that were extraordinary,” he
said.
The
NFF President disclosed that the Federation would honour the late football
icon, adding, “That (honour) is definitely going to be done.”
The
novelty match between ex-internationals and all stars, ended in 1:1 draw.
Among
the late Keshi’s team mates on the pitch were Austin Eguavonen, Uche ookechukwu
(aka Gentle Giant), Mutiu Adepoju, Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai and others.
His
body was later moved to Asaba, the Delta State Capital, for a lying-in-state
and tributes at the indoor hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
It
would be recalled that Keshi died in the night of June 7 in Benin at the age of
54. He was one of the only two to have won the African Cup of Nations both as
player and as coach in 1994 and 2013.
Ex-Super Eagles Coach,
Stephen Keshi’s Funeral Service Holding In Edo
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Image credits:
Punchng.com
|
Media
reports that the funeral Mass for the late former coach of the Super Eagles,
Stephen Keshi, has started at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport road in
Benin, Edo State.
Keshi
died on June 8 in Benin at the age of 54, months after the end of his four-year
spell as coach of the Super Eagles.
He
was one of the only two people to have won the African Cup of Nations both as
player and as coach in 1994 and 2013.
According
to Punch reports, the remains of the former captain of the senior national team
were brought through the centre aisle of the church with his children, family
members and friends following behind.
Present
at the ceremony is a delegation of Nigeria Football Federation, led by its
President, Amaju Pinick.
Also present is the Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Frank Ilaboya, and former team mates of the late football strategist, including Austin Eguavoen.
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