Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretary-general, Dr Mohammed Sanusi led the way in mourning the death of former national team goalkeeper and assistant coach, Joe Erico, following his death at 72, megasportsarena.com reports.
News of the late legend’s passing did not emerge until early Thursday, even as details later revealed he gave up the ghost on Wednesday due to a sudden battle with stomach pain, following which flamboyant trainer of trainers and respected nurturer of talents, fondly called ‘Jogobonito Exponent,’ was treated for malaria, only to be found dead in his bed at dawn.
Sanusi then led the dirges, as the Nigerian football was again thrown into mourning after news broke of the former senior national team goalkeeper, AFCON ’76 bronze medalist and one-time assistant coach of the Super Eagles.
Born Joseph Bassey Eric in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State, ‘Erico’ belonged to the cast of the very best goalkeepers in the history of Nigeria’s senior team and he served at the same period as the revered Emmanuel Okala and Eyo Essien.
He made his debut for then Green Eagles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Zambia in Lagos in July 1973 (which Nigeria won 3-2), and then kept goal in all of Nigeria’s six matches at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, where the Eagles finished third.
It was the first time Nigeria would win a medal at the AFCON, before which Erico had also been in goal in all of Nigeria’s pre-tournament friendlies against Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania before the team flew to Ethiopia.
Nicknamed ‘Jogo Bonito’(Beautiful Game) during his day of coaching Julius Berger FC of Lagos, where he exhibited a rare for his preference for fluency and expression in the rhythm of play of his teams, Erico was assist to Amodu Shaibu, alongside Stephen Keshi, in the crew that won bronze at AFCON 2002 in Mali.
They also qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as they took over from Jo Bonfrere with three matches left in the campaign and must-win status in all the remaining games, yet the trio got the job done and qualified Nigeria for the first Mundial to be co-hosted by two countries.
However, Erico decided to stay out of the national team and concentrated on youth football development, after he, Amodu and Keshi were sacked just before the Eagles headed out to Korea/Japan 2002 and, with his death late Wednesday, it means all three of the historic coaches have now passed on, much to dismay of Sanusi.
The NFF scribe lamented: “It is another sad day for Nigerian Football. Erico was among the very best of Nigeria’s international goalkeepers and also served the country with fervour and diligence as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles between 2001 and 2002.
“He will be sorely missed. We pray that Almighty God grant him eternal rest and also grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
