Stephen Keshi

• Full name: Stephen Okechukwu Keshi
• Date of birth: 23 January 1962
• Place of birth: Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
• Date of death: 8 June 2016
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Position: Centre-back (defender)
• Club career (notable clubs):
  • African Continental/Local: New Nigeria Bank, Bendel Insurance (Nigeria)
  • Europe: Belgium (Anderlecht youth/early career links reported), Lokeren, Anderlecht, RWDM, and other Belgian clubs
  • Other countries: Strasbourg (France), Santos (South Africa) among various spells
• International career (as player):
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Caps: Around 64 official appearances (records vary by source)
  • Goals: 8 (approximate, sources vary)
  • Notable: Captained Nigeria and was part of the squads during the 1980s and early 1990s; competed in African Cup of Nations tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.
• Managerial career (highlights):
  • Managed the Nigeria national team (Super Eagles) and led them to victory in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations — one of only a few to win the tournament both as a player and as a coach (he won AFCON as a player in 1994).
  • Also managed Togo national team (including at the 2006 FIFA World Cup) and had club coaching stints in Africa and elsewhere.
• Legacy:
  • Stephen Keshi is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest football figures — influential as both a commanding central defender and as a coach who advanced Nigerian football on the continental stage.
  • Remembered for leadership, tactical acumen, and for mentoring many Nigerian players.

Sources / notes: Historical statistics for caps/goals and exact club lists can vary between records; the above reflects commonly cited information about Keshi’s playing and managerial career.