The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has described the sudden death of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi as a big blow to African football.

In a statement signed by James Eze, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Governor Obiano said that Keshi’s death is a massive tragedy that would take Nigerian football a long period to recover from.

“Keshi was an icon of African football. He was a path breaker who opened the door of international football to many African youths when he led the exodus of Africa’s football talents to Europe through Belgium. That bold act inspired generations of African players into taking football as a serious career,” Obiano remarked.

Recalling Keshi’s exploits as a player and a coach, Governor Obiano again paid glowing tribute to him for being the only Nigerian to have won the African Nations’ Cup as both player and coach and the only Nigerian coach to have managed the national teams of three African countries as a coach.

“It will be difficult to find another all-Nigerian-coach like Stephen Keshi who was so proudly Nigerian and carried himself stately like a soldier on and off the pitch in his service to his fatherland. We shall all miss Stephen Keshi,” he added.

Speaking further, the governor said: “Our prayers and thoughts are with the Keshi Family and the good people of Delta State in this moment of pain and anguish as the ‘Big Boss’ as he was fondly called, is now in a better place.”

•Photo shows late ‘Big Boss’ Keshi.