Africa Press-Nigeria:
Was it a sheer coincidence? Former Nigeria’s coaches, Stephen Keshi and Amodu died one after the other and in the same city, Benin four years ago.
It was on this date, 10 June 2016, as the nation was still griping with the passage of Stephen Keshi, then came another deadly blow as another former national football team coach, Amodu Shaibu was pronounced dead.
For some days, both shared the same morgue in Benin. Both had worked together with Bonfrere Johannes as assistants in guiding the Super Eagles to the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations before taking over midway in the qualification series for the 2002 World Cup.
Sadly both Keshi and Shaibu worked together as national team coaches, guiding Nigeria to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, only to be dropped.
That was an attribute they both shared as Keshi later qualified Togo to the 2006 World Cup and suffered the same cruel fate.
Shaibu qualified the Super Eagles and was also dropped from guiding the team at the final tournament.
Added to the cruel fate he suffered was the fact that Shaibu also qualified Nigeria to the Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil, but was unable to take the team to the tournament.
Like Keshi who died three days before him, Shaibu also died in Benin. He was a recurring decimal in the technical crew of the Super Eagles having been appointed a record five times.
He got into prominence when in 1989, he guided BCC Lions to break a 36-year jinx that afflicted Northern Nigerian teams at the then national cup, the Challenge Cup.
His BCC Lions against formbooks, beat the rave of the moment, Iwuanyanwu Nationale to win the cup. It was the first time since Kano’s victory of 1953.
Spain has become the new mecca for Africans since 2019 as it witnessed the influx of the continent’s stars, with more than 20 plying their trade in at least 10 of the 16 Spanish top-flight clubs.
And the Cameroonian striker, who has scored three goals in 15 appearances since her arrival at Real Betis last summer, feels the entry of Africans will make the Iberdrola more competitive.
“I feel like it is definitely a league that will benefit from having African players,” Abam told Goal with LaLiga.
“They will bring a lot of different styles and sense to the game. They will also help teams grow and be successful in each step of the way.
“I also believe bringing more African flavour and seasoning, will help the league become a little bit more tasteful.”