Stephen Okechukwu Kechi (RIP)

I saw the news around 03:00am and hissed, saying to myself 'All this bloggers sef' and resume the sleep that was interrupted by the wind outside. It was when I finally get out of bed, done with morning devotion and typing the daily 'food for thought' for my Facebook page Food For Thought that I realised, it is no joke thing.

He is no longer with us, I know he lost his wife last year, December. Poor Steven, his heart stop beating after his wife's death. I might not know the greater pain of losing a loved one to death yet, I can only imagine the height of the pain after losing a loved one to emotion. Stephen, I wish your case is like Ikpeba, whose legs stopped playing football after he buried his wife. We are all different, I can only wish.

I can relate with you, I walked where you walked, jogged round where you trained the Super Eagles here in Abuja. First time I saw you, I was on my Dad's shoulders at Onika stadium in Surulere, Lagos. A very young boy then, can't vividly recall the team Nigeria played then but it was a qualifying match. Later on, I watched you on T. V to lift the '94 Nation's Cup as a player and captian of the team. Same you, I watched on T. V in far away South Africa'13 lifting the Nation's Cup as a coach. You enterd history book, becoming the second to achieve this feat in Africa. Also, as the first Nigeria indigenious coach to win the cup.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, you are a sport icon. Your death though came too soon and unexpectedly (definition of death), but why on the eve of my birthday? While others still talk about Mohammed Ali, nothing else I want to write that's not written already. For you, I will pen it down if it will pass as a repitition.

Watching you play live in a stadium and also watching you coach the Super Eagles at the National Stadium in Abuja is something I will hold onto alongside the fulfilment you gave us when most of us thought for Super Eagles to win the Nation's Cup in our lifetime is mission impossible.

Big Boss, your nickname aint just for show. Your role as a defensive midfielder was cute, while my cousin always struggle with your identity with Christian Chukwu on the field of play, your presence hovers on the team. You opened the way for Nigerian players abroad, though we had two Nigerian players playing abroad (names cannot recall) before you left your Nigerian club, your success attracted others and thus, a new chapter (foreign base players) was opened for Nigerian players.

Well, not a very disciplined players but who cares? Great things in life always bend protocols. I know the role you played in making sure J. J Okocha replaced that our former midfielder (name lost into the wind) turned out Okocha is one great export for Nigeria.

I will stop here, was thinking of naming my studying corner after Mohammed Ali, you earned it Sir! Typing this piece about the time I saw the news of your death online, it is my birthday and calls and text messages will not let the young man sleep. It is raining anyway, it is cold and you passed away in the 'holy month of Ramadan'.

Rest in peace, Coach Stephen O. Keshi - Sport Icon

Ope Shina
@OpeShina (Twitter & IG)