Shuaibu Amodu, (1958-2016)

Yet again, Nigerian football was hurled into bereavement last Saturday with the sad news of the demise of former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, who died at the age of 58 in Benin City, three days after the death of Stephen Keshi, who was his assistant coach at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in […]

Yet again, Nigerian football was hurled into bereavement last Saturday with the sad news of the demise of former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, who died at the age of 58 in Benin City, three days after the death of Stephen Keshi, who was his assistant coach at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali.
Until his death, Amodu was the Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and he was widely recognized as the finest Nigerian coach of his generation. He was the only man to have qualified Nigeria for two World Cup finals in 2002 and 2010 but did not lead the team to the championships. He also qualified the beach soccer national team for the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but did not lead the team to the event as he refused to travel to Brazil.
Born on April 18, 1958 in Edo State, Amodu coached Nigeria on four different occasions. Fiery, highly respected by his colleagues, passionate, conservative and a man who possessed strong knowledge of the game, Amodu was always outspoken. He first took charge of Nigeria’s national team at the age of 36 when he succeeded Dutchman Clemens Westerhof after the USA ’94 World Cup finals. He then led the Eagles, as reigning African champions, to fourth place at the 1995 King Fahd Cup (now renamed FIFA Confederations Cup) before his departure from the job later that year. He returned to manage the team again from 1998-99, 2001-02, 2008-2010 and, a brief spell, in October 2014, replacing Keshi.
Amodu first burst to fame when he guided less-fancied BCC Lions of Gboko to Nigeria’s Challenge Cup victory, a historic triumph, against Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1989, thus breaking a 38-year jinx for Northern Nigerian clubs in the competition. He coached the same team to win the African Cup Winners Cup the following year. He also guided his team to the final of the same competition the subsequent year but lost to Zambian side Power Dynamos 5-4 on aggregate.
Amodu, who started his unheralded football career with Niger Tornadoes in 1979, also won the Challenge Cup with El-Kanemi Warriors. He is the most decorated coach in Nigerian FA Cup history, having won it in 1989, 1992, 1993 and 1994. He won the Nigeria League and Cup double in 1994, and won the Super Cup in 1989, 1993 and 1994. He also managed South African giants Orlando Pirates between 1996 and 1997.
In its tribute to the phlegmatic tactician, the NFF aptly said: “Amodu’s name was synonymous with the Super Eagles. You can’t talk about the history of Super Eagles without Amodu getting prominent chapters.” Indeed, Amodu’s contribution to the development of Nigeria football is noteworthy. However, despite his outstanding achievements, Amodu had a turbulent relationship with the fans and his employers, with critics constantly questioning the team’s style of play, his tactics and key decisions. For his independence, forthrightness and stubborn streak, Amodu was unceremoniously sacked twice despite achieving two unlikely Worlds Cup qualifications – never a mean feat – and conjuring the Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Without a doubt, Amodu’s coaching career had brought joy to the nation and fulfillment to many. His legacy is fortified in the memories of Nigerians who will forever remember the achievements his teams recorded across the African continent and around the world.