Former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (54) is dead. He died in Benin City, the Edo State capital about midnight Tuesday. His spokesman, Emma Ado, confirmed to Political Economist that Keshi has “gone to join his darling wife”.

Last year, precisely on December 9, Keshi’s wife of 33 years, Kate, died of cancer at the same age of 54 years in the United States after battling with cancer for three years. They were survived by four children.

The late Keshi who brought honours to Nigeria both as a player and a coach died late Tuesday at his residence. Sources said there was no prior ailment.

Ado told Political Economist that Keshi never recovered from the death of his wife as they were so bonded and close.

“She is more like a sister to me and was the rock behind me and everything I do. My love for her was at first sight,” was how Stephen put across the message of the death of his wife to a reporter last December.

Family sources said he may have died of Cardiac Arrest.

Keshi, who was born on 23 January 1962 retired to Benin City after he was removed as manager of the national soccer team in 2015. The Delta-born Skippo as he was fondly called in soccer circle was a Cup of Nations winner for Nigeria both as a player and a manager and he qualified Nigeria for the World Cup making him the most successful indigenous coach.