Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was a former Nigerian football defender and coach. He is one of the two Africans to have won the African nations cup as a player and coach. He had a career as a player that saw him play for clubs in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Belgium, France and the USA. As a manager he coached Nigeria, Togo and Mali, He won the African Nations cup for Nigeria in 2013 (Nigeria’s 3nd win of the competition). He is the only coach to have taken the Togolese team to the World cup championship till date. He is also the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup.
Keshi was born 23 January 1962 and died, He was married for 30 years and had 4 children. He hails from Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. He started playing professionally in Nigeria for ACB Football Club in 1979 and trained as a coach in the USA.
Football Playing Career
| Years | Team | Country | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ACB Lagos | Nigeria | 10 | 1 |
| 1980–1984 | New Nigeria Bank | Nigeria | 42 | 4 |
| 1985 | State Of Abijan | Cote d’Ivoire | 13 | 2 |
| 1986 | Africa Sports | Cote d’Ivoire | 22 | 2 |
| 1986-1987 | Lokeren | Belgium | 28 | 6 |
| 1987-1991 | Andeletch | Belgium | 99 | 18 |
| 1991-1993 | RC Strasbourg | France | 62 | 9 |
| 1993-1994 | RWD Molenbeek | Belgium | 40 | 1 |
| 1995 | CCV Hydra | USA | 20 | 1 |
| 1996 | Sacramento Scorpions | USA | 16 | 3 |
| 1997-1998 | Perlis FA | Malaysia | 34 | 4 |
| Total | 386 | 51 |
Football Managing Career
| Country | Appointed | In charge until | Duration | Function | Matches | Win | Draw | Lose | Players Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 114/15 (Oct 31, 2014) | 15/16 (Jul 5, 2015) | 247 Days | Interim coach | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 35 |
| Nigeria | 11/12 (Nov 4, 2011) | 14/15 (Oct 15, 2014) | 1076 Days | Manager | 39 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 69 |
| Togo | 10/11 (Mar 25, 2011) | 11/12 (Nov 3, 2011) | 223 Days | Interim coach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mali | 07/08 (Apr 2, 2008) | 09/10 (Jan 28, 2010) | 666 Days | Manager | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 46 |
| Togo | 06/07 (Feb 5, 2007) | 07/08 (Mar 31, 2008) | 420 Days | Manager | – | – | – | – | – |
| Togo | 03/04 (Apr 17, 2004) | 06/07 (Dec 13, 2006) | 970 Days | Manager | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 38 |
| Nigeria | 94/95 (Jul 1, 1994) | 03/04 (Apr 15, 2004) | 3576 Days | Assistant coach | – | – | – | – | – |
He died on his way to a hospital on 7th June 2016 in Benin City, aged 54. Nigerians and African football will miss him. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
