Kate, wife of former captain and coach of Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is dead.
She died on Wednesday in the United States (U.S.).
A statement from Keshi’s representative, Emmanuel Ado, revealed that Kate has been battling with cancer.
“With gratitude to God, the family of Mr Stephen Okechukwu Keshi announces the death of our wife, mother, daughter and sister, Mrs Kate Keshi, nee Abureme. She died in the United States of America. She has in the last three years battled with cancer. She gave a good fight until she finally succumbed yesterday,” the statement on Wednesday revealed.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already condoled Keshi on the passing away of his wife.
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, described the incident as “devastating” and “a tragedy.”
“This is devastating. To lose a spouse is the equivalent of a tragedy. I pray that Almighty God will give you and the children the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
“Keshi is a Nigerian hero and we mourn deeply with him at this time. This has come like a big blow, but we pray that he receives divine strength to cope with the situation, and we also pray that the Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest,” Pinnick said on the official website of the NFF.
Keshi, who managed Nigeria’s Super Eagles as head coach between 2011 and 2015, has been married to Kate for 33 years.
The ‘Big Boss,’ who captained Nigeria for over 10 years, in the process winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze, coached the squad to a third African title in South Africa early 2013.
He was in charge of the Super Eagles between November 2011 and June 2015, during which he also led the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
“Keshi is a Nigerian hero and we mourn deeply with him at this time. This has come like a big blow, but we pray that he receives divine strength to cope with the situation, and we also pray that the Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest,” Pinnick added.
