Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed shock and sadness at the passing away of legendary ex-soccer star and former national coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi at the age of 54.
In a condolence message issued by his media office in Abuja, Atiku described the sudden death of Keshi as an untimely loss of a golden sports gem and a pacesetter.
He said his departure was more touching when one recalled that Keshi also lost his loving wife of 33 years, Kate, to cancer late last year, rendering their young children hapless orphans.
Atiku recalled that Keshi was the longest serving national football captain in Nigeria, with 64 caps, and the first to win the African Cup of Nations as a player in 1994 and a national coach in 2013.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and beseeched God to grant fortitude and grace to the mother, four children, family members and friends that the deceased left behind.
The former Vice President also underscored the need for governments at local and national levels to always honour the good deeds of heroes past.
