Ex-Super Eagles Asst. Coach Dies 'After Complaining Of Stomach Ache'

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper trainer and assistant coach, Joe Erico has died aged 72.

Erico passed away this week in Lagos surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.

A relative of the coach, Tomiwa Aghedo, confirmed the sad news, according to Goal.

“I feel sad informing you that coach Joe Erico passed on this morning [Tuesday, according to multiple reports],” Aghedo said.

“He complained of stomach ache yesterday and he was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he was told to present his COVID-19 test result before he would be attended to.

“Coach Erico went for the test as directed and very early this morning he passed away.

"It’s terrible news at this point in time and every one of us is devastated.

READ ALSO: I’m So Passionate For Super Eagles, Says Nigeria Star, Ogu

“We are consoled by the fact that he served Nigeria with all his strength and he lived a good life worthy of emulation.”

Erico, a former professional footballer himself, was part of the coaching crew that qualified the Nigeria U23 team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Nicknamed ‘Jogo Bonito’(Beautiful Game) for his preference for fluency and expression in the rhythm of play of his teams as a coach, Erico was part of the triumvirate (alongside late Amodu Shaibu and late Stephen Keshi) who were shooed in to do a rescue job for Nigeria as the ship to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals tottered badly under Dutchman Johannes Bonfrere.

With three matches left in the campaign and a must-win mandate for all, the trio got the job done and qualified Nigeria for Korea/Japan.

They also led the team to a bronze-medal finish at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Mali in early 2002.

With his death, it means all members of that historic triumvirate have now passed on.

Coach Erico is survived by his wife and four children. His burial arrangements will be announced soon.

NFF Mourns Erico

“It is another sad day for Nigerian Football. Erico was among the very best of Nigeria’s international goalkeepers and also served the country with fervour and diligence as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles between 2001 and 2002. He will be sorely missed.

“We pray that Almighty God grant him eternal rest and also grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the big loss,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja.