Funeral rites for the deceased Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi began today with a requiem mass at St. Paul Catholic church in Benin City in Edo State.

Present at the farewell ceremony were the parents and friends of the deceased including officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and former international football players.

The remains of the late skipper will tomorrow Friday be transported to his native village in Illah in Delta State for burial. Keshi died June 8 at the age of 54.

Chi Prudence Asong (Cameroon Intelligence Report)