•Exit: Nigeria’s coach and gentleman, after serial rape by country
Shuaibu Amodu, who died on June 10, would clearly rank among the most abused of Nigeria’s celebrated coaches. Yet, that did not stop his serial patriotism.
On two occasions, Nigeria under his watch qualified for the World Cup. But at both times, of eight years interval, he was overlooked for the finals proper, first in Korea-Japan (2002); and then, in South Africa (2010). Incidentally, Nigeria crashed out, after the group matches, on both occasions.
The 2002 episode was especially galling, as Amodu’s team, which went to the African Nations Cup (APCON) 2002 in Mali, got disbanded for perceived underperformance, fuelled by alleged team indiscipline.
Stephen Keshi, who also died on June 7, was Amodu’s assistant. With the team disbanded and coaches sacked, a new team under Adegboye Onigbinde was put in place. The team exited after the first round, in a tough group comprising Argentina, England, Sweden and Nigeria.
Contrasted to Keshi, who would not let his rights pass for any reason, Amodu was quiet and long-suffering, depending on his talent and expertise to argue his case for another comeback, which was sooner met with unceremonious sack!
In Korea-Japan and South Africa then, could the spirit of Amodu have protested, thus causing Nigeria’s early ouster — unlike the cases at the earlier 1994 (USA), 1998 (Spain); and later, 2014 (Brazil), when Nigeria, at least, qualified for the second round?
That perhaps belongs to the realm of metaphysics! But in the physical, there was enough evidence of a fervent patriot, seldom appreciated by his country.
Amodu’s playing days at Dumez and Niger Tonadoes were brief. He succumbed to an early injury that ended his playing career. But what Nigeria lost by his playing days, it gained in a distinguished coaching career, with some illustrious firsts.
In 1989, Amodu won, for Northern Nigeria, the Challenge Cup (later FA Cup but now, Confederation Club), hitherto the exclusive preserve of Southern Nigerian greats like IICC Shooting Stars, Rangers International, Bendel Insurance of Benin, Stationery Stores of Lagos, Leventis United of Ibadan, and Abiola Babes of Abeokuta. But with BCC (Benue Cement Company) Lions FC of Gboko, Benue State, Amodu broke the jinx.
He started his coaching career at a rather early age of 32, coaching BCC Lions, El-Kanemi of Borno, Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, according to information from Wikipedia.
But it took no time before his talent and understanding of the game drew the attention of the Football House; and thus started his five forays — three major and two minor — into the national team, out of which he qualified the Eagles for the mundial twice. When he died, he was technical director of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
Aside from the national turf and club sides, Amodu also did a grassroots football consultancy for his native Edo State, in which he ran an academy, tapping talents from the grassroots. There is no indication that Amodu approached his Edo assignment any less than his trademark calm, seriousness and acute intelligence.
But the reward system was no better than at the NFF. When Amodu died, Edo State was said to owe him outstanding amounts in unpaid fees, which newspaper sources claim was up to N25 million. Though an Edo State government source admitted the debt, he nevertheless claimed it was not up to that amount.
Yet, another Edo State government release claimed it did not owe Amodu a dime, since it didn’t renew his contract, even if, the release added, Amodu made a claim of N8 million in payment arrears. Fairness demands all these claims should be harmonised; and the Amodu estate paid the dead man’s due.
NFF too is owing him — two months at N800, 000 a month, a source at NFF claimed. But others indicate the arrears could be much more.
Amodu was a kind, unassuming and generous spirit. He loved his country and, from reports from his native Okpella in Edo State, he loved his community too; boasting immense community value. Yet, his was an example of how not to be treated by your country.
The posthumous tributes, to him are in order, since they are well-earned. But let Amodu’s passage be an urgent reminder: inasmuch as Nigerians must honour Nigeria, Nigeria too must discharge its duty to Nigerians.
