The Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has expressed dismay and sadness over the death of a member of the “Dammam Miracle ” coaching crew, Kelechi Emetole after a protracted illness.
Reacting after the news filtered in from India where the late Emetole had gone for a surgery, Dalung expressed shock that despite the timely intervention of Nigerians to raise funds for his medicals , he still succumbed to the cold hands of death.
He seized the opportunity to commiserate with the family of the deceased, the Nigeria Football Federation and the entire football confraternity over this unfortunate incident.
“When we were still grappling with the reality of Lizzy Onyenwenwa’s death, we have lost another sports icon who was dear many Nigerians.
“This is one death too many, but who are we to question God? All we can do as humans is to mourn the departed and accept the inevitability of death.”
Dalung reckoned that the former Heartland of Owerri and Supersand Eagles Coach was well loved by many after Nigerians came together to contribute their own quota to ensure his trip to India for advance treatment.
“I was impressed at how Nigerians home and abroad heeded the clarion call to donate their widows mite for the coach popularly known as ‘Caterpillar’. It was a testament to who he was and how much he was loved by all.
“If money and love were the main requirements to stay alive, Coach Kelechi Emetole would have still been alive today, but death is inevitable.”
He charged Nigerians to rally round the family of the departed in their moment of grief as he prayed for the soul of the departed to find perfect peace in the bossom of God.
In the same vein, the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday expressed shock at news of the death of former Nigeria international player and one-time Head Coach of the Supersand Eagles, Kelechi Emeteole. He was 66.
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 in India where he had gone for surgery on throat cancer.
“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.
“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, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said.
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.
