Former Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Keshi has died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The 54 year-old Keshi was rumoured to be in the running to take over as coach of Orlando Pirates.

Sports broadcaster Robert Marawa told Talk Radio 702 on Wednesday morning that he received messages at around 3am that Keshi had died.

Marawa said he called all he knew to confirm the rumours and it was confirmed Keshi had died.

Marawa said he had been speaking with Keshi’s agent on Friday as there were moves for him to get a job in South Africa.

In his last job with Nigeria‚ he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and reached the round of 16 at the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

There were no details about the cause of his death.

Tweet by Robert Marawa

@robertmarawa

BREAKING:At just the tender age of 54 fmr Nigerian superstar & Captain & Coach‚ Stephen Keshi has passed away. May the LEGEND #RIPKeshi

 This developing story will be updated soon.

- TMG Digital