Wife of Former Nigerian Coach Keshi dies

The wife of former Nigeria captain and coach, Stephen Keshi, has died.

The tragic death of Keshi's wife, Kate, occurred in the United States on Wednesday after illness.

A statement from Keshi's representative, Emmanuel Ado, revealed that Mrs Kate Keshi, 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.