Shuaibu Amodu was a former Nigerian football player who played as a forward and later coach the national team.
He was born on 18th of April, 1958 in Edo state, Nigeria. And he died on the 10th of June 2016 - three days after the death of another football icon Stephen Keshi - in Benin city at the age of 58.
Sadly both Shuaibu and Keshi worked together as national team coaches, guiding Nigeria to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan only to be dropped from leading the team to the tournament finals.
Teams he played for
He played for Dumez FC from 1976 to 1978, and Niger Tornadoes from 1978 to 1981, but his playing career came into an abrupt end when he broke his leg.
Club Management
BCC Lions of Gboko
He came into limelight in 1989, when he guided BCC Lions to break a 36 years jinx that afflicted Northern Nigerian teams at the then Challenge Cup (now AITEO Cup).
His BCC Lions team against all hurdles defeated the rave of the moment, Iwunayanwu Nationale to win the cup. It was the first time since Kano's victory of 1953.
In achieving the feat at age 29, Shuaibu became the youngest coach to win the Challenge Cup.
He also led BCC Lions to win the Africa Winners' Cup in 1990 and getting the runners- up position in 1991.
El-Kanemi
He won Cup Champion in 1989,1992, 1993, and 1994, winning the league and cup double in that final year.
He also managed Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Orlando pirates of South Africa.
National team assignment
He was a recurring decimal in the technical crew of the Super Eagles having been appointed a record five times (1994 -1995, 1996 -1997, 2001 - 2002, 2008 - 2010 and 2014 - 2015 on interim basis).
He qualified the Super Eagles for the FIFA world Cup twice ( Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010), and also qualified Nigeria to the Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil (2006) but he was sacked on those occasions.
In May 2013, he was appointed technical director of Nigeria's national team.
He is one of the most successful indigenous coaches Nigeria ever produce.
Stats
In his five Stints as Nigeria national team manager, he won 26 games out of a total of 53 games, drew 15, and lost 12.
Africa Nations Cup Bronze medal (Ghana 2008)
It is now 4 years that he left to the world beyond, may his soul continue to rest in peace
When will Nigeria find a successor of this rare gem?
Fabiyi Ridwan
Sports Writer and Analyst
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