Former Minister of Sports, Hon. Bala Bawa Ka’oje, the Nigeria Referees Association, the President of Nigeria Football Coaches Association and the All-Stars Football Club of Abuja are among those who commiserated with the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday over the passing of coaching legends, Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu.
Ka’oje, who was received by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and other Management staff, wrote in the condolence register: “We have witnessed the loss of yet another gentleman who loves football, the nation and the youth of Nigeria. He has served the nation to the best of his ability and deserves to be immortalized and his family catered for by the Government.”
The NRA, in a letter signed by its President, Tade Azeez, wrote: “Keshi was undoubtedly one of the finest coaches, having won the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and as a coach. He will be remembered for his immense contributions to the development of football in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
“Coach Amodu dedicated his life to finding and grooming some of Nigeria’s best soccer talents and providing them the leadership and guidance that enabled them to excel.”
Bewarang, who sounded downcast on the phone, said: “It is a very dark period for Nigeria football. We pray to God to stop these tragedies. Keshi and Amodu were still young, agile and able. To lose them that way is very, very painful. ”
The All-Stars, led by its President, Abdulrazak Dokunmu, were also received at the Glass House by Sanusi, and wrote: “Coach Amodu has left a big void in the football family that will be difficult to fill; we have lost a thoroughbred coach.
“The death of Stephen Keshi is not only a great loss to the Federation, but also a big loss to the entire football family in Nigeria and the world over. Coach Stephen Keshi was a man of honour whose sound knowledge of the game of soccer and his doggedness in leadership would always be remembered.”
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