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ON 31ST MEMORIAL OF OKWARAJI, NIGERIAN FOOTBALL LOSES U15 BOYS’ COACH, DANLADI NASIDI

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The Nigeria Football Federation has consoled the family of the Head Coach of the U15 Boys’ National Team (Future Eagles), Danladi Nasidi who died in the early hours of Wednesday, 12th August, the 31st anniversary of the death of Sam Okwaraji.

The late Danladi Naside has since been buried.

Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ paid glowing tributes to the one-time assistant coach of the Super Falcons, saying “Nasidi gave his all for the nation and served passionately, diligently and creditably in every role he found himself.

“It is a very sad day for Nigeria football, because Nasidi has been playing a huge role in grassroots development programmes for our football.

“He was very passionate about youth football and has moulded our U15 boys into a solid and formidable unit over the years. We will surely miss him.

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“He was someone who evinced passion for youth and development every time and everywhere you met him. I am crestfallen.

“When I started my journey into football administration, Nasidi was one of the coaches who spurred me into investing in grassroots development. His passion was infective.”

Nasidi, who was born on 1st January 1952, hailed from Niger State, and was among the elite corp of coaches in the country who had the CAF ‘A’ Licence. In 1994, he rescued Lagos darling team, Stationery Stores from certain relegation, and was Head Coach of the National Team of Gabon in 1986. He coached Minna darling club, Niger Tornadoes for several years.

He led the U15 boys to silver medal finish at the African Games in Algiers two years ago. He was First Assistant to Head Coach Ismailia Mabo as the Super Falcons reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in USA in 1999.

“I never regretted our relationship and my foray into grassroots development. Late Danladi Nasidi was a good man inwardly and outwardly and while we loved him, God loved him more.

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“On behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria football family, I pray to God to grant late Nasidi eternal rest and also grant all those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss,” said ‘Fresh’, who is also the Chairman of the Niger State Football Association.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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