A close relation of the former Super Eagles Coach, Shuaibu Amodu has disclosed that the sudden death of the Coach was caused by his failure to take his medication before going to bed as part of his decision to keep faith with the season of Ramadan and the tenets of fasting.Amodu, 58, was reported to have died in his sleep after complaining of chest problems.
Amodu’s relation who spoke with Newspot Nigeria through telephone said he was determined to observe the fasting to the last as a devout Muslim and hence has been skipping medication for his hypertension before going to bed.
He only had opportunity to take drugs immediately after the early morning meal while skipping the afternoon medication since the fasting began.
The relation who preferred not to be named said he was with the Coach up till late Friday night, recalling that the two of them had gisted on so many issues on Nigeria to keep busy.
He said Coach Shuaibu did not show any sigh of strain, even after breaking his fast and had looked sound and health by the time he left his house.
He said, “We were gisting as usual, and stayed late because we had many things to talk about. He was sound and health when I left him.
“But this morning, I was told that they discovered he was dead when they went to wake him up for the early morning meal preceding the day’s fasting.
“He has not been taking his drugs regularly since the fasting began because he insisted he would complete the Muslim annual spiritual exercise with faith”
As at the time of filing this report, the remains of the late Coach is being taken to his village in Edo state for burial according to the Muslim rites.
His wife who was in Lagos when he died is said to be on his way to Edo for his burial
Amodu, four-time Super Eagles coach, left behind five children.
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.
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.
