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Tragedy strikes Nigeria football again as Amodu dies

Nigeria's coach Shuaibu Amodu talks to the press following the World Cup 2010 draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town on December 4, 2009. The draw, which saw the 32 qualified teams split into eight groups of four for the first round stage of the June 11-July 11 tournament, laid down the battle lines for what will be the first World Cup to be played on African soil.     AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN
Nigeria’s coach Shuaibu Amodu talks to the press following the World Cup 2010 draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town on December 4, 2009. The draw, which saw the 32 qualified teams split into eight groups of four for the first round stage of the June 11-July 11 tournament, laid down the battle lines for what will be the first World Cup to be played on African soil. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Tragedy has hit Nigeria football again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu died just days after another national team coach Stephen Keshi passed away.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Saturday that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems.

On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in the southern Benin City.

Amodu, four-time Super Eagles coach, also died in his sleep in the same city.

Amodu, who qualified Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was to have replaced Sunday Oliseh, who quit as the country’s coach in February, but he declined on health grounds.

The top coach was recently appointed Nigeria technical director.

Senior football officials told AFP  Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication.

Keshi assisted Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup.

Amodu rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1991.

He was subsequently rewarded with leading the Super Eagles in 1994.

He would take up this post at least three other times during which time he qualified the country to two World Cups.

But on both occasions he was not the man in charge at the final tournaments.

He also handled top South African club Orlando Pirates between 1996 and 1997.

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