Coach Abdullahi's death shocking, painful -NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday in Abuja said it was pained by news of the death of one-time Head Coach of the national under-17 team, Musa Abdullahi.

Abdullahi, who suffered a stroke several years ago and had been confined to his home in Lokoja, Kogi State, since then, died on Sunday and was buried same day.

'This is a shocking terrible news,' NFF Chairman, Amaju Pinnick said in a statement by Ademola olajire, the association's Assistant Director of Communications.

'Abdullahi, a former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, was known by all who came across him as a gentleman to the core, a very humble, highly dedicated and tireless professional who had real passion for the job.

'He was just a likeable person in every respect.
'We feel very very sad to lose him but God loves him more and he has gone to rest.

'Our prayer is for Almighty God to grant him peaceful rest and also grant the family he has left behind the fortitude to bear the huge loss,' Pinnick stated.

Abdullahi assisted coach Fanny Amun to lead the under-17 national team to a second FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Japan in 1993.

He led the team later to win the African title in Seychelles in 2001 and silver at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago the same year.

The coach also served at different times as Assistant Coach of the senior national team, the Super Eagles. NAN