- NFF mourns the death of legendary Nigerian Supersand Eagles coach Kelechi Emeteole
- The former Nigerian international died in the early hours of Wednesday, June 21, 2017
- The former Enyimba FC manager reportedly suffered throat cancer as he underwent surgery in India
The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, expressed shock at news of the death of former Nigeria international and one-time Head Coach of the Supersand Eagles, Kelechi Emeteole.
NAIJ.com reported that Emeteole, who won 17 caps for the Senior National Team (then known as Green Eagles) and scored four goals, between 1975 and 1977, died in the early hours of Wednesday, June 21, 2017 in India where he had gone for surgery on throat cancer.
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“The death of Mr. Kelechi Emeteole came to us as a rude shock. A year ago, we lost two legends in the persons of Stephen Keshi and Shaibu 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.
NFF mourns the death of Nigeria coach Kelechi Emeteole.
“Our hearts go out to his caring family that he has now left: 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, Sanusi told thenff.com.
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Nicknamed ‘Caterpillar’ for his no –nonsense approach as a defender, Emeteole won a bronze medal with the Green Eagles at the 10th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ethiopia in 1976, and later served as assistant coach of the Super Eagles.
He also coached elite domestic teams Enyimba FC, Rangers International, Lobi Stars, Heartland FC and El-Kanemi Warriors, and between 2007 and 2009 was head coach of the Beach Soccer national team, Supersand Eagles.
Meanwhile, you can see NAIJ.com's video of the Super Eagles training ahead of the World Cup qualifiers;