……..calls for immortalisation
By Adebayo Abubakar
The Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP has condoled with the family of the late Coach Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen, who died last week Wednesday, as a result of a protracted illness.
The message of condolence was contained in a Press release, signed, by the Chairman, Office of the Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Prince Ajide Olayioye, and made available to newsmen, today in Ilorin. Ejidike describes the late Brodericks-Imasuen as a national treasure whose football achievements, and contributions to the development of the game in Nigeria, nay the entire Africa can never be overemphasised.
The Pillar of Sports also extends his condolence to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Edo State Government, as well as the entire Nigerian Football fraternity, especially those players who passed through his tutelage.
It would be recalled that, Brodericks-Imasuen led a crop of young Under-16 players, captained by Nduka Ugbade (now a coach) to the first ever FIFA cadet world Cup in China – 1985. He did not only win the inaugural edition of what is today known as the FIFA Under-17 World by beating West Germany (as it were) 2-0 in the final, but also became the first black (and African) coach to win a FIFA-organised world.
It is on that not that the Anambra-born Sports philanthropist makes an appeal to the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to, as a matter of recognition of his contribution and achievements, immortalise him, by naming a national Sports monument after him.
The late Coach, it would also be recalled, in his quest to defend the title he won in 1985, led the Golden Eaglets to the final of the second edition in Canada-87 with the likes of Fatai Atere (captain), Peter Ogaba, Philip Osondu, but lost to the USSR (Russia) in the final. He also led another set of talented boys to the Scotland 89 edition, where the team lost to Saudi Arabia on penalty in the quarter finals, with the likes of Kayode Keshinro, Victor Ikpeba, Andrew Aikhomogbe, Bobolayefa Edon, among others.
He played for the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria Football Club of Lagos (ECN FC), and Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City, and famously scored a winning free-kick in the 1972 Challenge Cup for the team. He also represented the Nigerian football team at the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968.”
Brodericks-Imasuen also served as an assistant coach in the Super Eagles under Clemens Westerhof, at a time. He coached many other age grade national teams, as well as local club sides in Nigeria, including Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin, Udoji United of Awka, Bendel Insurance of Benin City, El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, among others.
Ejidike concluded by praying, for the repose of the soul of the deceased, and that the Almighty God grant the family, the fortitude to bear the loss.
