‘It would be hypocritical for NFF to immortalise Keshi, Amodu’

…as sports veterans pour glowing tributes on late football icons

By Ikenna Asomba

Sports veterans on Sunday, continued to pour torrent of tributes on the duo of late ex-Eagles Coaches, Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, even as they expressed mixed feelings over the call in various quarters to immortalise them.

Keshi, a former Eagles captain died in Benin, Edo State last Wednesday, at age 54, while being taken to hospital after he complained of an illness, while Amodu died in his sleep, at age 58, early Saturday morning in his house at Delta Crescent in GRA of Benin City.

The sports veterans spoke at the farewell match between Team Ighalo vs. Team Ajegunle, at the 3, 000 capacity Navy Barracks Sports Ground, in the popular ghetto city, Ajegunle, Lagos.

The match was sponsored by the Chairman, Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) and Proprietor, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, in honour of Paul Ighalo, the father of Super Eagles and Watford Striker, Odion Ighalo.

Nigerian internationals who participated in the fare-well match were Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi; Olympiacos striker, Brown Ideye; Hapoel Be’er Sheva midfielder, John Ogu, the host, Odion Ighalo, as well as Popular comedian-turned-actor, Ayo Makun (aka AY), among others.

Also present at the farewell match were NFF President, Amaju Pinnick; former General Secretary of Nigeria Football Association (now Nigeria Football Federation), Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON); Chairman, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Mr. Chukwuma Ubah, among others. 

 

Those who spoke were ex-International and former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico; retired Military officer and ex-boxer, Vuy ‘Atila’ Ohenne (alias Baba na Baba) and a civil engineer, sports broadcaster and consultant, Ken Ochonogor.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

Those who spoke were

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

Those who spoke were

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

ex-International and former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico; retired Military officer and ex-boxer, Vuy ‘Atila’ Ohenne (alias Baba na Baba) and a civil engineer, sports broadcaster and consultant, Ken Ochonogor.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

ex-International and former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico; retired Military officer and ex-boxer, Vuy ‘Atila’ Ohenne (alias Baba na Baba) and a civil engineer, sports broadcaster and consultant, Ken Ochonogor.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu

ex-International and former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico; retired Military officer and ex-boxer, Vuy ‘Atila’ Ohenne (alias Baba na Baba) and a civil engineer, sports broadcaster and consultant, Ken Ochonogor.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

Ochonogor, who described the death of Keshi and Amodu as very unfortunate said: “The demise of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu is very unfortunate. They are arguably the best two coaches Nigeria has ever produced. It’s sad and there is nothing we can do about it. We all have a date with death, but we never know how it comes or when it comes. For Stephen, we were age grades and schooled same time. We usually met at the Principals Cup. While Keshi played for St. Finbarrs College, Akoka, I played for my school, Trinity Technical Secondary School, Olodi-Apapa. In the last few years, we have been a bit close, we talk discuss once in a while, we talk intimately.” On the immortalisation of the duo, the Sports administrator said: “I will never ask the Nigerian football authorities to immortalise either Keshi or Amodu, because they have been unjust to these two icons. They sacked Amodu four times; they never paid his entitlements. They framed Keshi up, sacked him and never paid his entitlements. If these icons are to be immortalised, it’s the Nigerian people that should immortalise them and not the Nigerian football authorities. They have been insensitive, callous and have contributed to the problems these coaches faced while alive. So, it would amount to a height of hypocrisy to ask those who showed little or no concern to these men while they were alive to come and immortalise them while they are now dead. It would be a travesty of decency.” On his part, Erico said: “The loss of Keshi and Amodu is quite disheartening, but there is nothing we can do about it. God knows about it. Since 1999, myself, Keshi and Amodu had at one point in time or the other worked together. We communicate with ourselves almost on daily basis. We were three, but both of them have left me to the Creator. I’m now lonely, but all I would do is to hopefully keep the flag flying.” Asked if the Nigerian football authorities should immortalise the duo, Erico retorted: “That is left for them to think about. It’s none of my business, because I would die one day too.” He added: “Off course, I will die someday. Everybody would die someday. Death is like a bus-stop. We all have our various bus-stops and we shall all go down someday. The most important thing is to do the best we could while alive.” Asked if the nation’s football authorities have been fair to indigenous coaches, including himself, the ex-International said: “They have not been fair to us. We all know they have not. But it’s our prayers that they learn and be fair to all.” However speaking, Atila said: “The demise of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu is very painful. Even, I am still crying as I speak to you since the unfortunate incidents. I am yet to recover from the death of Keshi, and Amodu’s death happened. Amodu played a prominent role toward the growth and development of the Nigerian football. But unfortunately, he did not benefit from it. Each time Amodu qualifies the national team to an international assignment, he’s replaced with another person. It is very sad. “For Keshi, right from when I started managing football, he has been known as a great fighter. Keshi has been a great fighter right from his secondary school playing days at St. Finbarrs College, Akoka. When Stephen Keshi is part of your team, you are sure of winning. Responding to calls to immortalise Keshi and Amodu, the ex-military man said: “I am really sad. Keshi should not only be immortalised by the Delta State Government. Amodu, should also not only be immortalised by the Edo State Government. But both of them must be immortalised nationally. They are both unsung heroes and must be honoured.” Meanwhile, at the end of a thrilling 90-minute encounter under a heavy rainfall, Team Ajegunle won beat Team Ighalo, by a slim 1-0 margin.

ead more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-amodu/

Ochonogor, who described the death of Keshi and Amodu as very unfortunate said: “The demise of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu is very unfortunate. They are arguably the best two coaches Nigeria has ever produced. It’s sad and there is nothing we can do about it. We all have a date with death, but we never know how it comes or when it comes. For Stephen, we were age grades and schooled same time. We usually met at the Principals Cup. While Keshi played for St. Finbarrs College, Akoka, I played for my school, Trinity Technical Secondary School, Olodi-Apapa. In the last few years, we have been a bit close, we talk discuss once in a while, we talk intimately.” On the immortalisation of the duo, the Sports administrator said: “I will never ask the Nigerian football authorities to immortalise either Keshi or Amodu, because they have been unjust to these two icons. They sacked Amodu four times; they never paid his entitlements. They framed Keshi up, sacked him and never paid his entitlements. If these icons are to be immortalised, it’s the Nigerian people that should immortalise them and not the Nigerian football authorities. They have been insensitive, callous and have contributed to the problems these coaches faced while alive. So, it would amount to a height of hypocrisy to ask those who showed little or no concern to these men while they were alive to come and immortalise them while they are now dead. It would be a travesty of decency.” On his part, Erico said: “The loss of Keshi and Amodu is quite disheartening, but there is nothing we can do about it. God knows about it. Since 1999, myself, Keshi and Amodu had at one point in time or the other worked together. We communicate with ourselves almost on daily basis. We were three, but both of them have left me to the Creator. I’m now lonely, but all I would do is to hopefully keep the flag flying.” Asked if the Nigerian football authorities should immortalise the duo, Erico retorted: “That is left for them to think about. It’s none of my business, because I would die one day too.” He added: “Off course, I will die someday. Everybody would die someday. Death is like a bus-stop. We all have our various bus-stops and we shall all go down someday. The most important thing is to do the best we could while alive.” Asked if the nation’s football authorities have been fair to indigenous coaches, including himself, the ex-International said: “They have not been fair to us. We all know they have not. But it’s our prayers that they learn and be fair to all.” However speaking, Atila said: “The demise of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu is very painful. Even, I am still crying as I speak to you since the unfortunate incidents. I am yet to recover from the death of Keshi, and Amodu’s death happened. Amodu played a prominent role toward the growth and development of the Nigerian football. But unfortunately, he did not benefit from it. Each time Amodu qualifies the national team to an international assignment, he’s replaced with another person. It is very sad. “For Keshi, right from when I started managing football, he has been known as a great fighter. Keshi has been a great fighter right from his secondary school playing days at St. Finbarrs College, Akoka. When Stephen Keshi is part of your team, you are sure of winning. Responding to calls to immortalise Keshi and Amodu, the ex-military man said: “I am really sad. Keshi should not only be immortalised by the Delta State Government. Amodu, should also not only be immortalised by the Edo State Government. But both of them must be immortalised nationally. They are both unsung heroes and must be honoured.” Meanwhile, at the end of a thrilling 90-minute encounter under a heavy rainfall, Team Ajegunle won beat Team Ighalo, by a slim 1-0 margin.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/it-would-be-hypocritical-for-nff-to-immortalise-keshi-