Tears flowed freely on Friday as the remains of former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi was laid to rest in his family home in Illah community, Delta State, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Keshi, who came from Illah in Oshimili North Local Government of the state, died on June 8 in Benin.
His body was interred at about 2.20 pm amid tears, wailing and lamentation by family members, colleagues and friends.
The burial was preceded by a funeral mass at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah.
In a sermon, the parish priest Rev. Fr Dennis Arinze reminded the people that death is an inevitable end for all mortals.
“When we consider his age, the circumstances surrounding his death and also the fact that he lost his wife few months ago, it is indeed pathetic and worrisome,” Arinze said.
He urged the people to be steadfast in their faith and believe in God, saying that death was not the end of life for true Christians but the beginning of another in eternity.
The priest added, “As Christians, if we die today, we die for God, if we also live, we live for God.
“So my brethren, a strong faith in God should be our source of consolation in death because there is life after death.”
Arinze, who eulogised the departed for his time and achievements, also urged the people to live a life of service, saying the late former Super Eagles captain served his nation whole heartedly until his death.
He said, “As a compatriot, father, brother, uncle, Keshi has made his contribution to his nation and the game of football. He lived a life of service that is worthy of emulation.”
The Deputy Governor of Delta Kingsley Otuaro urged the Keshi family to take solace in the fact that the former Nigeria coach lived a life full of accomplishments.
He disclosed that plans were underway by the state government to immortalise the former Togo and Mali manager as a mark of honour for his selfless service and contributions to the development of football in Nigeria.
In his tribute, former Eagles captain Augustine Eguavoen said, “He has indeed worked tirelessly to develop football in Nigeria.
“It is difficult to accept that Keshi is no longer with us. He will continue to be one of us and will remain our boss. Today, he is lying down dead, it could have been any of us.”
The ex-Nigeria coach said Keshi’s teammates in the national team had taken solace in the fact that the Big Boss as he was fondly called, was a celebrated hero up to his death.
The burial was attended by former ex-internationals, the majority of who were Keshi’s former teammates who played between 1990 and 1994.
Among them were Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo, Uche Okechukwu, Victor Ikpeba, Alloy Agu, Edema Fuludu and Taribo West.
