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By Ephraim Nwosu
Following the news of the death of former Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo who died during the early hours of Monday morning in his residence in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, tributes have continued to pour in.
Speaking with SaturdaySun, former Super Falcons coach Uche Ucharia described Mabo’s demise as a sad one for Nigerian football.”This is indeed a sad week for Nigerian football, and Nigerian sports in general. May the soul of Ismaila Mabo rest in peace, amen.”
Also former Super Falcons forward Maureen Madu exressed her grief over Mabo’s death describing it as a colossal loss, while one time Falcons goalkeeper Ann Echiejine who played under the legendary coach said his death was shocking and devastating.
“Apart from being my coach, Mabo was like a father to me . I won’t have achieved what I achieved in football without him. I spoke with him recently, so I was sad and shocked when I heard about his death. I will miss him.”
On his part, ex-Nigeria international, Sylvanus Okpala said:”We have to appreciate his immense contribution to Nigerian football, because he took Nigeria to the highest level of women football. It’s a sad loss and a big blow to Nigerian football fraternity.”
Similarly, Imo State FA boss and former NFF board member, Amanze Uchegbulam, said the death of Mabo was a great loss to the entire country adding that it was a rude shock to the association.
“We lost a genius with great commitment to the growth of football in Nigeria. He was a great man in the development of football and women’s football in particular. He qualified the country for different big tournaments, and even the World Cup where he made history by leading the team to the World Cup quarter finals for the first time.”
Mabo, it would be recalled led the Nigerian female national team to the quarter finals of 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2000 Olympic games as well as 2004 summer Olympics.
