Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer and assistant coach, Joe Erico has died.
The late coach, Erico, nicknamed ‘Jogobonito exponent’, passed away on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021 in Lagos at age, 72, after a brief illness.
A close family member, Tomiwa Aghedo said the country’s coaching icon had died after complaining of stomach ache.
Aghedo told Goal, “I feel sad informing you that coach Joe Erico passed on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021.
“He complained of stomach ache yesterday and he was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he was told to present his Covid-19 test result before he would be attended to.
“Coach Erico went for the test as directed and very early this morning he passed away. It’s terrible news at this point in time and everyone of us is devastated.
“We are consoled by the fact that he served Nigeria with all his strength and he lived a good life worthy of emulation.”
Erico had a distinguished playing career and was a member of the then Green Eagles team to the African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia where the team won the first medal ever for Nigeria, a bronze medal.
Later, he became a coach and was famous for coaching the Julius Berger team of the late 80s and 90s which dazzled Nigeria football with its Brazilian style of playing.
He was nicknamed Jogo Bonito for his love for the Brazilian style of football.
Source: Goal
