The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to hold a farewell testimonial match in honour of the late Super Eagles managers, Shuaibu Amodu and Stephen Keshi. The match which is organized by the Lagos state Government in conjunction with the Sports Writer’s Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on July 23, 2016.
President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo, the Chairman of the committee for the event noted that the event is meant to raise money for the families of the departed coaches as well as celebrate them. The money raised would be added to other donations across the country.
“The Farewell Testimonial match would see the Super Eagles players battle against Lagos All Stars team in the main match of the day, while the curtain raiser would be a game between the Lagos SWAN team and the Supporters Club. This would be followed by Musical Concert where prominent Nigerian musicians and comedians would perform in the entertainment aspect of the programme. This aspect of the event is coordinated by veteran music act, Chris Mba,” he added.
“Amodu and Keshi must be celebrated with a fanfare as they left solid footprints on the sands of time. It is sad that we won’t see the two indigenous coaches that qualified Nigeria for three editions of the World Cup out of the five the country competed in, again. We intend to celebrate Lagos as the state where these coaches were made. Keshi started from St. Finbarrs College in Lagos and also played top international matches as a junior and senior at the National Stadium in Lagos, while for Amodu, as he achieved all the feats at the club and national team levels chose Lagos as his home. He left his family in Lagos to go to Abuja and Benin City to pursue owed monies before he met his death.” Coordinator of the event, Mr. Effiong Nyong, revealed.
