Reactions have continued to trail the demise of four-time Super Eagles coach, Amodu Shuaibu who died on Saturday at the age of 58.
The news of his sudden death added to the shock of sports-loving Nigerians a few days after former captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi also passed away.
President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick said on his twitter handle that Amodu’s death came as a shock to him especially at a time the country was still mourning the late Stephen Keshi.
“This is one tragedy too many. We are still talking about Keshi’s death, and now Amodu is gone. I’m short of words.”
Former captain and coach of the team, Sunday Oliseh and player Elderson Echiejile also described the death as shocking and painful.
Echiejile wrote on twitter: “Another big loss! This is shocking, I can’t believe it. He was a disciplinarian, father and a mentor.”
On his part, Oliseh, who played under Amodu described his death death as a horrible news.
“Waking up to another devastating horrible news: Amodu Shuaibu, former coach of Nigeria is proclaimed dead! First Keshi and now this. God help us!” Oliseh tweeted.
Coach Amodu, who had the highest number of stints as Nigeria national team coach — having been employed as handler for the team on four different occasions — was confirmed dead on Saturday morning as he failed to wake up from his sleep.
As stated by the Nigeria Football Federation, the 58-year old complained of chest pains before going to bed Friday night but did not wake afterwards.
In November 1994, Amodu first managed the Super Eagles in an international friendly with England in which his team lost 0-1.
He took charge of the Super Eagles on four occasions in 1994 as well as in 1997, 2001 and then between 2008 and 2010.
During these stints, Amodu and late Stephen Keshi worked together as Nigeria’s head coach and assistant coach respectively at the 2002 edition of the African Cup of Nations in Mali.
Amodu had led BCC Lions of Gboko to win the 1990 African Cup Winners Cup (now Caf Confederation Cup). The Coach against all odds also guided the Nigerian men’s national team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals after it looked impossible to qualify following a poor start to the qualification series in Africa.
Sadly, he was denied opportunity to lead the Eagles to the football showpiece as he and his assistants were sacked on the eve of the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup with Coach Adegboye Onigbinde hurriedly brought in to take his place.
Until his death, Amodu was the technical director of the NFF.
