Nigerians on Wednesday woke up to the news that experienced coach, Kelechi Emeteole, had passed away aged 66.
Emeteole, also a former international player, died while being treated for throat cancer in India.
Just like other Nigerian tacticians, Emeteole’s death has somewhat brought out some untold secrets into limelight.
Here are four you might never have heard of.
- Sickness started after facing former side
Emeteole’s travails began in December 2015 after leading El Kanemi Warriors to battle against his former team, Heartland.
“About December 2015, my husband lost his voice, after his last match between El Kanemi Warriors and Heartland Football Club of Owerri,” his wife, Lolo Phoebe, narrated to Vanguard.”
- First Nigerian coach to win CAF Beach Soccer Championship
Many seem to have forgotten how revolutionised beach soccer in the country. He was the first to win the CAF Beach Soccer Championship in 2007. Not only that, the tactician was also the first to secure Nigeria a quarter-final berth at the World Cup same year. Till date, it remains the country’s best finish at the tourney.
- Christened the Caterpillar
Nigerian footballers are renowned for their unusual nicknames. Perhaps the most awkward of them all is Emeteole’s byname ‘Caterpillar’ owing to his dynamic style, playing as a forward.
- Owed by all his employers
Another shocker, though synonymous with indigenous coaches, is Emeteole being owed by all the clubs he worked with.
“Caterpillar’s former employers, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Heartland Football Club of Owerri and El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, are all owing him huge sums of money,” his wife stated.
