Keshi’s wife: Sani Toro, Ekpo, Erico mourn

Some top sports personnel on Friday offered their condolences to Stephen Keshi, a former coach of the Super Eagles, whose wife, Kate, 54 died of cancer on Wednesday in the United States (U.S.)
While expressing their heartfelt condolences in separate interviews, they said they were shocked at her sudden demise.
Fred Edoreh, the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter, said he was disheartened on hearing news of her death, describing the loss as a difficult one to bear.
He said he knew Keshi and the family back in his active playing days, when he played for the defunct New Nigerian Bank FC of Benin.
“I am devastated over the shocking news and I want well-meaning Nigerians to give Keshi their support during this trying moment.
“Keshi has served the country well for several years and could not have accomplished this without the support of his wife, who also helped him to build a good home.
“Keshi would definitely miss his wife and I pray God to grant him the strength to bear the loss; he will need to be strong for his four children,’’ Edoreh said.
A former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary-General, Sani Toro, prayed to God to let her soul rest in peace.
His then Public Relations Officer (PRO), Austin Mgbolu, said that the sudden passing away of Keshi’s wife was distressing and urged him to take heart.
“It is a sad development. Keshi was close to his wife and was always fond of his children; he will miss her. I cannot imagine how the coach will be feeling right now.
“I urge him to be strong and pray the good lord to be with him in this petrifying moments of his life,” Mgbolu said
Friday Ekpo, an ex-international who played alongside Keshi in the Eagles, said Kate was like the pillar of Keshi’s success over the years; it is sad that she could not recover from the sickness.
“May God protect him and continue to guide him and his children.’’
A former Eagles’ Assistant coach, Joe Erico described the news as disturbing. “I am devastated by the news. I left them in the U.S. some few months ago and never imagined this could happen so soon. She was someone special.
“She was the unseen pillar behind his successes over the years; I offer my condolences and urge him to be strong for his children,” added Erico.
The ‘Big Boss,’ as Keshi is fondly called, captained Nigeria’s Green Eagles for over 10 years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations.
He also coached Togo and Mali National teams and later led the Eagles to a third African title in South Africa in 2013 and was in charge of the National team to the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
He led the National team to the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil.