Former Nigeria Coach Shuaibu Amodu Goes Home

The funeral of Shuaibu Amodu, the only man to have qualified Nigeria for two World Cup finals, took place in the southern town of Okpella, Edo State over the weekend. 

Amodu, who passed away in his sleep in the Nigerian city of Benin, was tucked in the traditional white shroud (kafan) used to wrap bodies, and was buried in a wooden coffin in line with Islamic burial custom.

Islamic prayers were read as he was laid to rest in his home village in accordance with his last wishes.

The burial was attended by his friends and family, as well as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official Mohammed Sanusi, dignitaries from the state government and by traditional leaders from Okpella itself.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State governor, also attended, representing Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari.

Ahmed Shehu, the Islamic cleric who led prayers, paid tribute to Amodu and described him as a “great son” of Okpella.

“Shuaibu [Amodu] was only here on earth for a short time but made a great impact,” Shehu said.

“His journey ends here but not his memories because he died a great son of Okpella.

NFF general secretary Sanusi said the football authority will forever be grateful to Amodu for his amazing service to Nigerian and African football.

“He lived for his family and football, Amodu gave his heart and soul to Nigerian football and we can never thank him enough,” Sanusi told BBC Sport.

“We pray Almighty Allah grants him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus [paradise].”

The NFF technical director before his death, Amodu, who first took charge of Nigeria at the age of 36, coached Nigeria on four different occasions.

He helped the country to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but Amodu was sacked despite the team’s third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

It was the second time he had been removed from his post ahead of a World Cup finals tournament – Amodu was also fired ahead of the 2002 edition after Nigeria finished third at the 2002 Nations Cup in Mali.

News of Amodu’s death came just three days after the death of another former Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi.

A number of Super Eagles players, both past and present have paid tribute to the former coach on social media, including

Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Brown Ideye and

Leon Balogun.

Former Nigeria Coach Shuaibu Amodu Goes Home

Revival: "Obi Mikel Is Our Key Player" - Chelsea Boss

Chelsea Find ‘New Star’ In Nigerian Midfielder

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea boss after guiding the Blues to their fifth premier league title in the club’s history and Guus Hiddink like Mourinho returns to Chelsea for the second time as Interim boss but it is neither managers under the spotlight or receiving the praise for the teams revival, but rather Mikel Obi.

 

Many have asked why Mikel is or has still been at Chelsea with limited game time thrown at him and questioned why his talent has been wasted with a change in his favoured attacking position to a defensive midfielder. Mikel Obi was once touted to rule the world of football along with perhaps the best player the game has seen – Lionel Messi, during the Fifa Youth world cup in 2005.

The 28 – year old Nigerian international had firstly changed from the attacking player that got Manchester united and Chelsea fight over his signature as a teenager to a defensive midfielder. Mourinho signed Obi to Chelsea in 2005 under controversial circumstances after Manchester united had unveiled him and this cost Chelsea to pay compensation to United for forcing the Nigerian to terminate his contract.

 

Mikel Obi has undoubtedly played his best games at Chelsea under one manager and one manager only and that’s Guus Hiddink. The Dutch manager’s appointment after fans favourite Mourinho was sacked was well and truly appreciated by Mikel when he asked team mates to put a poor defense of their title behind and focus on the future.

 

The Nigerian international has started all games under Hiddink and has spearheaded a Chelsea revival, thanks to a much needed defensive shield for the Blues defenders. Chelsea have leaked goals and since Mourinho’s ninth defeat in the league are yet to taste one under the Dutch boss.

Chelsea put in their best performance of the 2015/16 season away to Crystal Palace. The defending league champions defeated their London rivals by 3 – goals to nil and moved from 16th place to 14th on the league table. Mikel Obi won the man-of-the-match with a spectacular showing and team work that got the praise from his manager Hiddink.

Guus Hiddink, the man responsible for Mikel’s revival

In his post match interview, the former Dutch national team manager said, “He played very well but also in the previous game. He’s the ideal player in my opinion to bring balance to the team. If the team is not willing to defend well, or hasn’t got the right balance, then you’ll concede a lot of goals.

”I think John Obi can be one of the key figures in bringing back that balance. On this podium very talented players can explore their qualities.”

He added, “he (Mikel) can recover his radar, he reads the game very well, he knows where the strength of the opponent is and knows how to combat that. He has very good sense, he doesn’t do it in a brutal way, he’s very elegant. Someone who can defend so smoothly is very beautiful. I don’t expect the decisive final pass from him – he can (do that), but he can also let the other players (play).”

Mikel will hope to improve upon this performance and form to enable him keep his immediate competitor and out-of-form Serbian international Nemanja Matic warming the substitutes bench.

Revival: "Obi Mikel Is Our Key Player" - Chelsea Boss