Nigeria and Africa mourn a sporting hero Stephen Keshi

Nigeria has lost one of its biggest sporting heroes as former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, 54, died on Tuesday.

Stephen Keshi, who won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and coach, died in Benin City, Nigeria, after a short illness.

The former RSC Anderlecht of Belgium defender was on the radar of a number of clubs and countries recently and was reportedly on his way to the South African Premier League Soccer side Orlando Pirates before his death.

One of his finest moments was helping leading Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as well as being captain of the side in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Keshi made his Nigeria début as a 21-year-old in 1981 and went on to play for clubs like NNB, Stella Abidjan, Anderlecht of Belgium and Strasbourg of France, among others.

He played 64 times for Nigeria, scoring nine goals.

SOURCE: Supersport