[3] As a manager, Keshi achieved success by qualifying Togo for the only FIFA World Cup appearance in its history in 2006.

After helping Stade win two Coupe Houphouët-Boigny trophies in a year, he left for rivals Africa Sports, where he won the domestic double of the league and the cup.

[11] However, Pfister did not last beyond a controversial World Cup campaign that nearly resulted in a player's strike over pay and Togo remained without a manager until February 2007 when they re-engaged Keshi in time for a friendly against Cameroon.

[13] Keshi was sacked in January 2010, after Mali's early exit in the group stages of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

On 16 November 2013, Keshi's Nigeria secured qualification to the 2014 World Cup by beating Ethiopia 4–1 on aggregate in a play-off.

After the match, Keshi announced his resignation as Super Eagles coach[23] but later reversed the decision after the Nigerian Football Federation renewed his contract.

[24] His team failed to win a single game in the Morocco 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying series and he announced he would move to another job if pressure continues to mount because of certain people, whom he refused to name, were trying to "sabotage" him.

He hailed from Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and was of Igbo descent.

Keshi had his early education at Saint Paul's Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Apapa Road, Lagos State.

[29] Keshi had a heart attack and died en route to hospital on 7 June 2016 in Benin City, aged 54.