Stephen Keshi: 10 things you didn't know about the Legend.

He was a former captain of the Nigerian national team, Keshi was one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.

While most people would remember him as the no-nonsense defender, here are 10 things you might not have known about ‘The Big Boss’. as he wass fondly called.

1. Late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was born on the 23 of January 1962 in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

2. Born into the Ogbuenyi Fredrick Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

3. He started his professional career as a defender in 1979.

4. The ex-international was among the first set of Nigerians to play professional football abroad.

5. Keshi played professional football for 19 years including appearances for ACB Lagos (1979), New Nigeria Bank (1980-84), Stade d’Abidjan (1985), Africa Sports (1986), Lokeren (1986-87), Anderlecht (1987-91), RC Strasbourg (1991-93), RWDM (1993-94), CCV Hydra (1995), Sacramento Scorpions (1996), and Perlis FA (1997-98).

6. Keshi was capped 64 times scoring 9 goals for the national team between 1981-1995.

7. He was nicknamed ‘The Big Boss’ during his playing days,  for the influence he exerted over his teammates.

8. After a playing career mostly with Belgian clubs, Keshi went to the United States to be educated in coaching.

9. His coaching career included stints with Togo and Mali before guiding Nigeria to the 2013 Nations Cup title in South Africa and the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

10. Keshi was one of only two men to won the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and a coach.