Former Nigerian coach and legend Stephen Keshi passes away at 54

Nigeria and the world as whole will be mourning the sudden death of former Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi that happened on Tuesday.

Aged only 54, he remains the only African to coach a team at the World Cup. A footballer himself, he was a central defender who went to win titles in Nigeria and Ivory Coast and two world cups and a league title after he moved to Belgium.

According to some sources, he complained of a leg ailment but died on his way to the hospital at 3 a.m. it is unclear whether he died before or on arrival. His family have released a statement claiming that he died of cardiac arrest. It is said that after the death of his wife last year from cancer, he was never quite able to heal from the loss.

Called the ‘Big Boss’ he was set to join South Africa’s Orlando Pirates next season and he will forever be remembered for winning the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013.