CAF,Ubah Eulogizes Late Football Icon, Stephen Keshi

                                                                                                                                                                               CAF President, Issa Hayatou, on Wednesday condoled with the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and Nigerians on the death of former Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi. This is contained in a statement on the association’s website. Hayatou expressed his “dismay” and “immense sadness” at the sudden death of the former Nigeria international. He paid glowing tribute to the deceased, who emerged as the only African coach to have qualified two African teams to the World Cup – Togo in 2006 and Nigeria in 2014. “’His other enviable record is being the only African trainer to have steered a team to the Second Round of the FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. “He had achieved the same feat as a player with the Super Eagles at their maiden participation at the Mundial in 1994, in USA. “’The CAF President conveyed the condolences on his own behalf, the CAF Executive Committee and African football family on the demise of Keshi, who was a jewel to his family, friends and the Nigerian football family, who are badly affected. “This is a man, who was twice winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria; in 1994 as captain and in 2013 as a coach, with the latter earning him the distinction of Coach of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards,” the statement read.  Meanwhile, The Managing Director, Capital Oil Plc and Founder/President FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has also commiserated with the family of late former Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, who passed on Wednesday morning. Keshi Ubah, who said, his heart brimmed with grief when he heard the heartbreaking news of Keshi’s demise, however, described him as a man who lived an exemplary life, adding that Nigeria has lost a football icon. The oil magnate in a statement said: “My heart brimmed with grief when the heartbreaking news of the Big Boss’ demise filtered through my ears. Words failed me and still fail me as I struggle to express the sadness I felt when I received the news Stephen Keshi’s glorious exit. The cold hands of death just served us a distasteful meal! “Today, I mourn a man who lived a fulfilled and exemplary life; and as a key member of the football family, I mourn the departure of one of us, an icon in Nigerian football. I mourn a friend and a man that I always related with and looked up to with respect to issues on growth and development of football in Nigeria. “We have lost a man we needed so much in a time where all efforts are geared towards repositioning Nigeria football. The Big Boss has left us when his wealth of experience was needed the most in the football sector of this country. It will be hard to talk about Nigerian football without a mention of “Stephen Keshi”, a man we had expected to remain here with us for a long time to come so that we could continue to tap from his wealth of experience. Nigeria will miss you! Anambra state football family will miss you! “In this time of bereft, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the Keshis. It must be a very agonizing period for his children and other members of his family who are still in excruciating pains over the demise of their mother and wife who passed onto higher glory just a few months ago. I sincerely sympathize with every one of you. My earnest prayer is that the memories of all the happy times shared with him, will in the fullness of time, ease the hurt and grief that you all feel as a result of the bereavement. I also pray that the good Lord in his infinite mercies, grants every one of you the peace and fortitude to bear the immeasurable loss. “To fellow Nigerians and fans of Keshi worldwide who feel must feel aggrieved at this irreparable loss, may the promise contained in the “8 Beatitudes of Christ” which bestows blessings of comfort on all those who mourn as stated in Mathew 5:4 be true to us all in Jesus name…Amen! “To my brother and friend, Stephen Keshi, may the good Lord grant your beautiful soul a peaceful repose in his bosom. Adieu, THE BIG BOSS! Rest in peace