Another big star falls off the firmament permanently as the remains of Nigeria football legend, Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi, are interred at his hometown, Illah, Delta State on Friday.
The final rites began in Benin City, Edo State on Thursday with a one-hour church service at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, off Airport Road, before lying-in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Keshi played many matches for the New Nigeria Bank FC.
A novelty match between ex-internationals and All-Stars at the same venue, in honour of the former libero, ended 1-1. The body was later taken to Asaba, the Delta State capital.
In Asaba, the remains of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach laid in state inside the Indoor Hall of the Keshi Stadium, named after the legend by former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
On Friday, another church service is scheduled for Illah, before internment. Reception will take place at the Omorka Primary School in the serene town.
