By Daily Sports on June 14, 2016

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba was at the Glass House on Monday to commiserate with the football body on the deaths of Coaches Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu.

 Keshi, only the second man to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and as a coach, died in Benin City in the early hours of Wednesday. Amodu, four –time Coach of the Super Eagles, died in the same city in the early hours of Saturday.

 Ogba, who was Member of the NFF Executive Committee during Amodu’s fourth stint with the Super Eagles, during which he qualified the Super Eagles for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and won bronze medal at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, said: “Amodu’s death was a big shock to me, just as Keshi’s. Both men were institutions based on what they achieved with the Super Eagles.”

 Ogba, who is also Chairman of the Ebonyi State Football Association, added: “I knew both men very well, for they were towers of excellence. It is a pity that at a time they still had so much to contribute to Nigeria football, they left us just like that.

 “Death is a necessary end; it is a debt we all owe. However, we are sad because these gentlemen have died at a relatively young age, when they still had so much in them to give.”

 NFF’s 2^nd Vice President and LMC chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko, was also at the Glass House to sign the condolence registers, now placed side-by-side. “It is tragic. Words are inadequate to express the grief and sense of loss that the NFF feels right now.”

Ogba had the added task of consoling former Nigeria coach James Peters, who could not back the tears on seeing the photo of his long –time friend Amodu by the condolence register at the NFF secretariat.

 “I’m too shocked for words,” Peters said simply. Both men worked together at BCC Lions of Gboko, where Amodu assisted Peters before taking over from the latter. Both men have worked together on CAF coaching license programs over the years.

 Former member of the NFF Executive Committee and chairman of NPFL club Abia Warriors, High Chief Emeka Inyama lamented the death of both great figures within days of each other.

 Head Coach of the Nigeria U-23 team, Samson Siasia was a sober figure at the Glass House. “This is heartbreaking for me. I can’t say much now.”

Siasia played with Keshi in the Super Eagles for several years. Both men were in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations –winning squad as well as the 1994 World Cup team. Siasia was in the Eagles’ squad coached by young Amodu for the ‘Wembley Friendly’ in November 1994, and was also superintended by Amodu for the two matches against Egypt in March this year following Sunday Oliseh’s exit.

The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) also commiserated with the NFF on the death of Keshi. Alhaji Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, the new Director General, wrote: “He will be fondly remembered for his great contributions to the beautiful game in Nigeria which culminated in his being African champion twice, as a player and a Coach. This is a feat achieved by only one other person before him. We join the world of football in mourning such a huge loss, and pray that stakeholders, led by the NFF will do all in their power to ensure that his legacy lives on.”

 Members of the NFF Disciplinary Committee were not left out. Led by its chairman, Barrister Musa Amadu (immediate past NFF General Secretary), the committee’s train was received at the Glass House by incumbent General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Barr. Amadu spoke on behalf of the group: “These men were tall trees in world football, not only in Nigeria. It is quite sad that they had to leave us now. The football world in general, and Nigeria football in particular, will miss them dearly.”

 Amadu was in company with Professor Olufemi Adegbesan (vice chairman), Barr. Chike Onyeachor, Barr. Adamu Sani Osmond, Barr. Kelvin Omoujine, Barr. Damon Dashe (members) and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (secretary).

 •Gotten from thenff.com. Photo shows late Amodu Shuaibu.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 14, 2016

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