Death dealt Nigeria’s football community another blow last week with the passage of one of the country’s most respected former national coaches, Shaibu Amodu. Amodu died in his sleep at his GRA Benin home on Saturday, June 11, few days after the shocking death of the former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi. Amodu, who died at 58, has since been buried according to Islamic rites in his Okpella hometown in Edo State.
We join the nation and the football world in mourning the sudden passage of this illustrious son of Nigeria. Amodu was, in his short but eventful life, a professional footballer, successful coach, CAF Instructor, administrator and good father to his children. He will be sorely missed by all football lovers in the country
Amodu was a four-time coach of the senior national football team – the Super Eagles. His first stint was from 1994 to 1995, shortly after Clemens Westerhof walked away from the job after our first World Cup appearance in the United States in 1994. He took the country to a decent outing at the King Fahd International Tournament in London in November 1995. Amodu was recalled in 1996 and seconded to the 3SC Shooting Stars of Ibadan to help in the nation’s quest for the elusive CAF Champions Cup. Amodu made a very good showing, losing to Zamalek of Egypt in a penalty shootout in the final match.
When the country was in dire straits in its quest to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, Amodu was again drafted in on a rescue mission. He, assisted by Stephen Keshi, did the “impossible” by qualifying the country for the World Cup that year only to be relieved of his job before the tournament kicked off. Amodu returned again as Super Eagles coach and qualified the nation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He was, for a second time, denied the unique pleasure of taking the national team to the ultimate football tournament as he was sacked, apparently, for being a “local” coach. Before this, however, he had taken the Super Eagles to a bronze finish at the 2010 Nations Cup in Mali.
Amodu resumed his on and off romance with the Super Eagles in 2014, after the sack of Stephen Keshi. He was appointed the football body’s Technical Director in April 2016– a position he held until his death.
No doubt, Amodu’s successful outing at the national level was built on a solid club coaching foundation. After cutting his teeth with Niger Tornadoes of Minna, he guided the unheralded BBC Lions of Gboko, Benue State, to the FA Cup in 1989. He also won the now rested CAF Cup Winners Cup with the same BBC Lions in 1990 before moving to El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Borno State. He won the FA Cup with the Borno Team in 1991. Amodu also coached Orlando Pirates of South Africa in 1997 after his second stint with the Super Eagles in 1996.
Amodu, everywhere he went in his coaching career, made a good case for the much-maligned local/indigenous coaches. His comportment, professionalism and records spoke for him and put him among the best anywhere in the world. It is a shame that he died, much unappreciated by his managers. The NFF has admitted owing him two months salaries. The Edo State Government too is said to owe him a lot of money as salaries and entitlements. We urge both authorities to immediately pay these outstanding entitlements.
Amodu was faithful and patriotic to the end. He never rejected any national or local assignment, despite his obviously failing health in the twilight of his life. The nation owes the Okpella-born football tactician a debt of gratitude. Everything should be done by his home state of Edo and the Federal Government to honour and immortalise him.
Amodu ran a good race, and we commiserate with his immediate family and indeed, the larger football family he has left behind.