Nigerian football legend, Stephen Keshi is dead aged 54

 Keshi (right) celebrates with the African Nations Cup trophy after victory over Zambia

A versatile defender, the type who was regarded as a sweeper in the heart of the Nigerian defence. A sweeper which took up the italian name' libero' creates a unique type of centre back. Though confined to the defensive realm, a libero is expected to build counterattacking moves, one which requires better ball control and passing ability than typical centre backs. Two players who are commonly associated with this position are Franz beckenbauer (Germany, 1974) and Traianos Dellas (Greece, 2004). Both have won a trophy playing that position. Keshi was the first to win a trophy in Africa playing as a libero. He is rare gem in the history of Nigerian National team.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (left) held a banquet in honour of Stephen Keshi (right) and the Nigeria team after they won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

Sunday Oliseh, a former team-mate and Keshi's successor as Nigeria coach, tweeted his shock at the "horrible news" and called Keshi "an iconic hero".

  Keshi skippered the Nigeria team that won the Nations Cup in 1994 before narrowly missing out on a World Cup quarter-final place the same year.

He coached the Super Eagles on three occasions, leading them to the 2013 Nations Cup title in South Africa and the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup.

His contract was not renewed after the Brazil tournament but he returned on a match-by-match deal following the team's failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup finals.

He was then sacked as caretaker coach but reinstated after intervention from then Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan.

Keshi, who lost his wife to cancer late last year, was then sacked for a final time last July.

 

Keshi was known as 'Big Boss'