Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is another great former Nigerian defender who made his mark wearing the green-white-green jersey of the country.
He holds the record of the longest serving Captain of the National team and also led the way to the mass movement of Nigerian players to the thenMeccaof football (Belgium League) in the 80’s.
Born on January 31, 1962 in Lagos, he captained the Super Eagles squad to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and played in five different African Nations Cup including Tunisia ’94.
“The Big Boss” as he is fondly called began his football career in 1979 with ACB of Lagos before moving over to the famous new Nigerian Bank (NNB) Football Club of Benin that took Nigerian football by storm.
Keshi was in NNB between 1980 and 1984 before taking his career toCote d’Ivoire, featuring for Stade d’Abidjanin 1985.
In 1986 he was lured to Africa Sports of Cote d’ Ivoire where his football career blossomed. It was in Africa Sports that he caught the attention of Lokeren of Belgium officials and between 1986 and 1987 seasons, he was playing for Lokeren’s first team. In 1987 and 1991, Keshi moved to Anderlecht of Belgium.
Keshi continued to enjoy a career rise between 1991 and 1993 when he featured for RC Strasbourg before Molenbeek snapped him up for the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Noted for his short contracts, Keshi in 1995 moved to CCV Hydra before journeying to theUnited States of Americato play for Sacramento Scorpions in 1996.
He played together with Augustine Eguavoen inCalifornia’s Sacramento Scorpions as the backbone of the defense for the short-lived club.
Keshi’s last club was Peshi FA of Malaysia in 1997 and in 2000, a testimonial match was arranged for him at the National Stadium,Lagosto bid farewell to an illustrious playing career.
To be continued next week.
