Former Eagles head coach Keshi loses his wife Kate after she succumbs to cancer

FORMER Super Eagles head coach and captain Stephen Keshi has lost his wife Kate to cancer after she finally gave up the ghost yesterday following a long battle with the ailment in a US hospital.

 

Keshi, 53, was the Super Eagles skipper between 1984 and 1994, leading the team to African Nations Cup success and its first ever World Cup appearance. In 2012, he was appointed head coach and led the team to victory again in the Nations Cup, becoming the first Nigerian to win the trophy as both a player and manager.

 

In between playing for and managing Nigeria, Keshi has also managed the national teams of Togo and Mali and is widely respected in African football circles. Currently living in the US,  Keshi confirmed that his late wife has been ill for a while before giving up the ghost on Wednesday.

 

Keshi said: "She was ill for a while now and I'm still in shock of this great loss. She is more like a sister to me and was the rock behind me and everything I do."

 

He however revealed that the burial arrangements will be made public in the coming weeks. Already, the Nigerian Football Federation has sent him a condolence message and it is expected that members of the association will be at the funeral.