Abuja – Former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark has expressed shock over the sudden death of Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) Technical Director and Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Amodu Shuaibu.
This is contained in a statement signed by Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Mark and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.
Mark said that Amodu’s death coming three days after the demise of his compatriot, Stephen Keshi was devastating and frustrating.
He said that the death of the two foremost Nigerian football managers in quick succession unarguably depleted the bank of knowledge needed to revamp the nation’s soccer desirous of oxygen.
“It’s devastating to hear that Amodu Shuaibu passed on to the great beyond. We were struggling to come to terms with the death of Stephen Keshi only to be confronted with yet another blow.
“Unarguably, Amodu Shuaibu was one of our best football handlers both at the club level and continental assignments.
“Over time, he demonstrated unwavering commitment and love for country; he was a great patriot in the real sense of the world.
“He was always handy even at very critical moments. Honestly, Nigeria has lost one of her best and fertile minds in football administration.
“We shall miss his frank and professional disposition. We have lost a reliable and dependable administrator.
“I pray that God Almighty grant the nation especially the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
Mark, however, urged the NFF to immortalise Amodu Shuaibu in recognition and appreciation of his contributions to development of sports, especially soccer in Nigeria.
Also, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi on Saturday described the death of former Super Eagles coach, Amodu Shuaibu, as the work of God.
Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Shuaibu’s death was a big loss to the Nigeria football family.
“It is a very big loss to the football family and words cannot express what I am feeling today. He was complaining of chest pain and died shortly after.
“His death coming just after three day of Stephen Keshi’s death is very worrisome. It is the work of God and we cannot question Him but give thanks,’’ he said.
Also speaking to NAN, the former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission Al- Hassan Yakmut said it would take a long time to forget Shuaibu’s death.
He said this is more so because Shuaibu was one of the longest serving indigenous national coaches.
“Shuaibu had also been the best alternative in times of crises in the Nigeria football.
“All administrations of NFF always returned to him to rescue Nigeria when it mattered most.
Also, Joseph Dosu, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper said the news of the late Amodu’s death was so devastating to him.
“I woke up this morning to hear that Amodu is dead, my stomach churned. Barely some days after Keshi’s death, Amodu also is gone.
“We cannot blame God, it is just unfortunate, all I can say is that may their souls rest in peace,” he said.
Donatus Agu-Ejidike, the Nigeria Pillar of Sports said that the death of Keshi and Amodu were the most horrible news he has heard in June.
“This is a very sad news, what is happening? I cannot believe what I just heard that two great football icon died within a week is no good news to me.
“May God give both families the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
Dele Gbajumo, the Team Manager, Ikorodu Football Club said that the death of the two late coaches was a shock to the football industry at this period.
“This is a very sad one for us in the football industry, two great coaches; within a week! It is coincidental that the two deceased belong to the same industry.
“It is indeed a great loss and people should stop attaching myth to everything. We cannot question God. I only pray to God to uphold the family,” he said.
Amodu has managed a number of club sides in Nigeria, such as BCC Lions, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Shooting Stars; he also managed Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
He first managed the Nigerian national team from April 2001 to February 2002. Amodu later stated that his dismissal was “unfair”.
He was re-appointed manager in April 2008.
In December 2009, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated that Amodu was under pressure and in January 2010 there was speculation about his future.
He was sacked in February 2010.
Amodu was appointed Technical director of Nigeria’s national teams in May 2013.
He was re-appointed Nigeria manager in October 2014, replacing Stephen Keshi.
NAN reports that the former Super Eagles coach and technical director, died on Saturday morning in Benin City three days after another former Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi died. (NAN)
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