The remains of Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles coach arrived Asaba from Benin by road on Thursday accompanied by his four children and other family members at exactly 4.24pm en route to Illah, his hometown for burial today.

He was brought into the Indoor Sports Hall of the Asaba Township Stadium renamed after him in 2013 at about 4.50pm from a black formatic Benz 500 followed by tributes by officials of the state government.

His first son, Stephen Femi Keshi blasted the Federal Government, saying that “the Nigerian government promised to honour this man and sponsor his burial but has failed to keep to their promises for a man that served this country with so much passion.”

After the short ceremony, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick was booed on his way out of the venue. One of the boys who accosted him was heard screaming: “you sacked him, you have killed him, now go and squander all the salaries you owed him.”

Those who paid tributes to the former Eagles coach included Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya and Executive Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa.

But it was Hon. Onyemaechi Mrakpor representing Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency who received the loudest applause from the crowd as she also blasted the Federal Government for the poor treatment given to Keshi even in death.

“From the atmosphere in this hall, it is clear that we are not proud of the role Keshi played in this country. Looking at the young ones, we can imagine what is going on in their minds, that there is no reward for excellence in this nation, so what is the future of our youths?”

After that, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick did not speak. Some of the members of the 1994 World Cup team filed past the casket of their former captain who donned the number 4 Jersey. They included Austin Eguavon, Uche Okechukwu, Mutiu Adekpoju, Aloy Agu and Peter Rufai. Former U-21 coach, Fani Amun, Friday Ekpo and Edema Fuludu were also present but none of Keshi’s players during his time as Super Eagles coach were present.

After lying in state at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, his body will leave Asaba in the early hours of Friday, July 29 for burial at Illah. (Independent)

•Photo shows late Coach Stephen Keshi.

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