OBITUARY
Nigeria football chieftain, Gusau mourns Issa Hayatou
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has commiserated with the Cameroonian football fraternity and the African football family as a whole, following the death on Thursday of former President of Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou.
A former 400m and 800m champion of Cameroon, who served as President of CAF between 10th March 1988 – 16th March 2017, Hayatou died after a protracted illness in the French capital, Paris on the eve of his 78th birthday.
“The NFF and the entire Nigeria football family are terribly saddened by the death of Alhaji Issa Hayatou. He was a great and much-loved leader of African football and did his best to leave African football greater than he met it.
“Alhaji Hayatou was a man of strong character and integrity. We love him but God loves him more. We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and also grant the Cameroonian, nay African football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Hayatou, who served as Secretary of the Federation Cameroonaise de Football (FECAFOOT) in the 1970s, was elected CAF President on the margin of the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, to take office from interim boss, Dr Abdelhalim Mohamed, who had stepped in the previous year following the death of Dr. Ydnekatchew Tessema.
Tall, energetic and visionary, Hayatou (who was born to the royal family in the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua) was also a member of the International Olympic Committee, and served as Acting President of football’s world-ruling body FIFA for 4 months and 18 days (8th October 2015 – 26 February 2016) following the suspension of Sepp Blatter and prior to the election of Gianni Infantino.
After 29 years in office as CAF President, Hayatou lost the bid for a fresh term in an election won by Ahmad of Madagascar at an elective Congress in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on 16th March 2017.
Former head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, Adegboye Onigbinde, is dead. He passed away late Monday evening, four days after celebrating his 88th birthday.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued on behalf of the family by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi, who disclosed that the veteran football tactician had been ill for some time.
Onigbinde, one of Nigeria’s most respected football administrators and coaches, first took charge of the national team in 1983, succeeding Brazilian coach Otto Gloria. During his tenure, he led the then Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished runners-up.
Nearly two decades later, Onigbinde etched his name further into Nigerian football history when he became the first indigenous coach to lead the national team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He guided the Nigeria national football team to the tournament co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
Widely respected for his discipline, tactical knowledge and commitment to youth development, Onigbinde remained an influential voice in Nigerian football long after his coaching career.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
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The Nigerian sports media community has been thrown into mourning following the deaths of two respected football journalists and administrators, Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu.
Their passing has triggered tributes from colleagues across the country who remember them as dedicated professionals who made meaningful contributions to sports journalism and football administration.
Oyeleke’s Legacy in Broadcast Sports Journalism
Oyeleke, a former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, was widely respected for his work in broadcast sports journalism.
During his career, he worked with the Nigerian Television Authority, where he was part of the network’s sports reporting team, before later contributing to coverage on SuperSport.
As Lagos SWAN chairman, Oyeleke was known for his efforts to strengthen the professional standing of sports journalists and promote unity within the association.
Colleagues recall him as a calm, thoughtful voice within the sports media fraternity, always willing to mentor younger journalists entering the profession.
Chukwu Remembered in Nigerian Club Football
Tonex Chukwu, who also passed away, built a strong reputation within Nigerian club football circles, particularly through his work as media officer of Enyimba FC, one of the country’s most successful teams.
He later served as coordinator for Heartland FC, contributing to the organisation and administration of the club during his tenure.
Friends and colleagues describe Chukwu as a passionate football communicator who played an important role in bridging the relationship between clubs, supporters and the media.
Tributes Pour In
News of their deaths has prompted an outpouring of grief across Nigeria’s sports community, with journalists, club officials and administrators remembering both men for their commitment to the game.
Many have taken to social media and professional platforms to honour their memories and reflect on the impact they made within the industry.
As tributes continue to flow, colleagues say the legacies of Oyeleke and Chukwu will endure through the many journalists and football professionals whose careers and lives they touched.
The Nigerian sports community has also extended heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and loved ones during this difficult period.
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Veteran French coach Jean Louis Gasset, who was fired at the last Africa Cup of Nations by Ivory Coast before they went on to win the trophy, has died aged 72, his former French club Montpellier announced on Friday.
Hosts Ivory Coast were sensationally beaten 4-0 by minnows Equatorial Guinea in their last group game at the 2023 edition in the biggest upset in tournament history, finishing third in their group.
Gasset was dismissed after the shock defeat but the Ivorians earned a reprieve as one of the best third placed finishers to qualify for the knockout rounds and eventually won the title under Gasset’s assistant Emerse Fae.
One month after returning to France, Gasset was appointed coach at Olympique de Marseille but stayed for only four months.
He went back to Montpellier last season but when they were headed for relegation, he was sacked in April.
Gasset spent most of his playing career at Montpellier, where his father had been one of the club founders.
The cause of death was not given.
Reuters
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