Emeteole: NFF, Okala, coaches mourn

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Wednesday in Abuja, expressed shock at news of the death of Kelechi Emeteole, former Nigeria international player and one-time Head Coach of the Supersand Eagles.
Emeteole, who won 17 caps for the senior national team, which was then known as Green Eagles, and scored four goals, between 1975 and 1977, died at the age of 66.
He died in the early hours of Wednesday in India where he had gone for surgery on throat cancer.
“Emeteole’s death came to us as a rude shock. A year ago, we lost two legends in the persons of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu in the month of June.
“This year, also in the month of June, we have now lost another legend who served the nation creditably, energetically and meritoriously.
“Our hearts go out to his caring family that he has now left behind: his doting wife and children as well as relations.
“We pray that they will have the fortitude to bear the loss. We also pray that the soul of the departed finds eternal rest. Nigerian football will miss him dearly,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said in a statement.
 
“Caterpillar’’, renowned for his no-nonsense approach as a defender, won a bronze medal with the Green Eagles at the 10th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ethiopia in 1976.
He later served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles.
 
He also coached Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubsides Enyimba International, Rangers International, Lobi Stars, Heartland FC and El-Kanemi Warriors.
 
Between 2007 and 2009, Emeteole was Head Coach of the beach soccer national team, Supersand Eagles.
Some associates of the late Emeteole, Emmanuel Okala and teammate, Joseph Aniedobe, have said that they are sorrowful over his death.
Emeteole, played under the Yugoslavian football coach, Tihomir “Tiko” Jelisavčić (Father Tiko), during the 1976 African Cup of Nations where Nigeria came third.
Often called “The Caterpillar’’, Emeteole played alongside Idowu Otubusen, Samuel Ojebode, Zion Ogunfehinmi, Kunle Awesu, Muda Lawal, Joe Erico and others when crop the Rangers International players revolted in the national team.
For his coaching career, Emetiole cut his teeth with notable clubs such as Spartan FC, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, El-Kanemi of Maiduguri and Rangers International of Enugu.
He led Iwuanyanwu Nationale to the final of CAF Champions League in 2009.
Emmanuel Okala, a 1980 gold winning Green Eagles goalkeeper, said it was yet another sad day for the nation’s sports family, especially football.
Okala said that he had drawn government’s attention to the health of Emeteole when Kenneth Ilodigwe died but wondered if it was heeded.
He described Emeteole as a dependable friend and teammate who gave his all to the country both as a player and a coach.
“Oh, what is this again, unusually a former national keeper called me and after a long discussion he broke the news to me.
“It is sad that we are losing those who built the foundation of Nigerian football in quick succession.
“It is a black day and we will miss Emetole for a long time, I pray that God consoles his family.
“I want to also call attention of the public to the plight of Christian Madu, another fine player who has been sick, those in charge should come to his aid and to the aid of those of us still alive,’’ he said.
Joseph Aniedobe, a former teammate of Emeteole at defunct Textile Mill of Aba and Rangers International of Enugu, lamented uncontrollably of the news of Emetole’s demise.
Aniedobe, popularly called “Uncle Joe’’, said his relationship with “The Catapillar’’ dated back to 1972 when he played for the defunct Aba side against Emeteole’s defunct team from Kaduna.
He added that Emeteole was his personal friend.
“I find it difficult to believe Kelechi is dead, we have been friends since 1972 when I convinced him to join us in Textile Mill of Aba.
“We were together in the same house for about a year before we moved to Rangers International of Enugu.
“Emeteole was a good man, it is indeed a sad development, just when we are recovering from the demise of Luke Okpala, Earnest Ufele and Kenneth Ilodigwe whom we lost to death in recent times.
“My only wish is that the country we served with our youthfulness should not abandon us in time of need because all these people would have lived a little longer if there was help,’’ he said.
Also, football coaches mourned the demise of their colleague.
Speaking on the painful demise of Emetiole, Emeka Akabueze, an ex-Rangers winger and Green Eagles player, described his death as painful to football family and the country.
He said that the deceased had contributed immensely to the development of football in the Nigeria.
“Government should set up a welfare scheme that could cater for the wellbeing of past sportsmen and women in the country.
“His death is a very painful and tragic one to football in Nigeria and I am still in shock about the news.
“I think the government is not doing g enough for past athletes who represented the country in their youthful age.
“Many have died; many are down with one ailment or the other without any proper medical attention and this is not too good,’’ he said.
Frontline Coach Okey Emordi said that his death was a huge blow on him, adding that sportsmen deserved better owing to their contributions to national development.
“I was shocked hearing about his death, he was a good colleague and a perfect gentleman who has done all he could to keep his life, but unfortunately he left.
“It is a painful loss since it was not long time ago, about this time last year when we lost Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu in quick succession.
“It is very unfortunate that he left when his services was still needed. I pray that the Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and console his family.
“The family needs special prayers, especially his wife who needs to bear the loss in good faith because she needs to train the children and make sure they are well taken care of,’’ he said.