Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has described the demise of Coach Shuaibu Amodu as a great loss to the Nigerian football community, adding that the ex-Super Eagles coach was a football genius who contributed immensely to the development of football not only in Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.
Bello spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, saying that Amodu was the unsung hero behind the success of Nigeria in the round leather game in the past two decades.
He said, “Few days after losing the ‘Big Boss’ Keshi to the cold hands of death, we are again dazed by the demise of a football genius with unblinking commitment to the growth of the round leather game in Nigeria and Africa.
“In his hey days as both a professional footballer and coach, the late Amodu displayed unparalleled professionalism, defending the integrity and excellence of the Nigerian colours with unmatched candour and desire. His death is a blow to the football family around the world.”
The governor said the late Amodu was a cool-headed, intelligent and goal-getting tactician who never got the high credit commensurate with his great contributions to the development of Nigerian football.
He added, “As a recurring decimal in the Nigerian football for decades, his judgements, commitment and hunger for success was never in doubt.
“The people of Kogi State wish to commiserate with the family of the deceased, the people and Government of Edo State as well as the Nigerian Football Federation which the late tactician served as Technical Director until his death”.
The Governor called on Nigerians to pray for the football family against losing the best in their prime, saying the late coach will be sorely missed.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the country is losing the characters that made the world respect Nigeria in football at a time we need the best we can muster to rebound the nation to the path of football glory. We need to pray fervently for our football house for God’s intervention and protection.”
He, however, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed hero and for the family, the emotional strength to bear the great loss.
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