The school where the former Super Eagles’ skipper and
coach was discovered have been in shock since his death was announced
on Wednesday morning
As a pupil, Keshi was a key member of the Akoka-based school’s football team and helped them win the 1977 Lagos State Principals’ Cup title. After that success, he was snapped up by ACB Football Club before moving to New Nigeria Bank FC where he was spotted by national team selectors.
Before his demise on Wednesday at age 54, the ‘Big Boss’ was an illustrious old boy of the school even though many said he hardly participated at alumni events and fundraisers.
Despite this, his death was announced during Wednesday's assembly.
During a visit to St Finbarr’s College to find out how they received the death of their old boy, in the absence of the school's principal, Goal spoke with the school's administrator, a staff and students who all expressed their grief over the painful loss.
It is a great loss to the country as a whole to lose a legend who has contributed so much to sports, to the development of football in Nigeria. He achieved feats that no Nigerian has achieved. He gave his whole life to serve his country and was dedicated and committed to the end,” Reverend Father Emmanuel Babalola told Goal .
“It was a sad one for us here because the school has lost a worthy ambassador,” said a management staff who requested anonymity .
“The news was broken to us on the assembly ground and even before then, some of the pupils had heard the news.
“It was a disturbing news because it came after the death of another great, Muhammad Ali. We feel sorry for his family and we hope that the good Lord grant him eternal rest.”
However, she was unsure of what plans the school has to honour their illustrious former student.
“Nothing concrete for now, but I’m sure in a matter of days, we would meet with the Old Boys’ Association and we will see how best we can keep his memory alive.”
Pupils also paid tribute to Keshi and wished they had met him while he was alive.
“I heard many great things he did while he was playing for Nigeria. I also watched him during the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. He is an icon that cannot be forgotten in a hurry,” said Felix Adeyinka, a Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) pupil.
Another student Uche Onyeoziri said his greatest regret was not meeting Keshi one-on-one but hopes to follow his footsteps as a footballer and become a worthy ambassador of the country.
“I’m unhappy because I had told myself I would love to meet him someday but that cannot be possible again. His story has helped inspire me and I will like to play for Nigeria in future and make everyone proud.”
Following his retirement from football in 1998, Keshi trained as a coach and was made head coach of the Nigeria U20 team but was unsuccessful as the Flying Eagles were eliminated early frorm the 2001 African Youth Championship staged in Ethiopia.
After a short stint as Super Eagles assistant coach under Bonfrere Jo, he was appointed as Togo national team coach and helped them qualify for their first World Cup. He also handled the Mali national team before returning home to fix the Nigeria national team who had failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
In 2013, he led the Super Eagles to win a third Afcon title in South Africa against all odds – in the process he became the second person after Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary to win the competition as player and coach.
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