Ex-Nigeria International Erico Dies At 72

Former Nigeria international goalkeeper and ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Joe Erico has passed away at the age of 72 after a brief illness.

Erico’s death was confirmed to Goal by a close member of his family Tomiwa Aghedo.

According to Aghedo, Erico who died on Tuesday morning, after complaining of stomach ache.

“I feel sad informing you that coach Joe Erico passed on this morning [Tuesday],” Aghedo told Goal.

Also Read: Is Wilfred Ndidi The Answer To Chelsea’s Troubles?

“He complained of stomach ache yesterday (Monday) 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 every one of us is devasted.

“We are consoled by the fact that he served Nigeria with all his strength and he lived a good life worthy of emulation.”

During his playing career, Erico featured for Nigerian Police Force, NEPA, Nigeria Railways, Electricity Connectors of Nigeria and Julius Berger.

At international level, he was in goal for Nigeria at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia where the then Green Eagles finished third.

After retiring from professional he went into coaching and handled NEPA as well as Julius Berger.

He was part of the late Amodu Shuaibu coaching crew that qualified Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.

Also, he was part of the coaching crew to the 2002 AFCON in Mali where the Eagles placed third.

Erico is survived by his wife and four children. His burial arrangements will be announced in the coming days.