Former Nigerian goalkeeper and assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico, has passed away aged 72.
Erico, nicknamed ‘Jogo Bonito’, died on Tuesday morning in Lagos surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.
Confirming this development to Goal, a close family member Tomiwa Aghedo, said the country’s coaching icon had died after complaining of stomach ache.
Joe Erico was an apostle of ‘Jogo Bonito’ – an aesthetic football philosophy that is based on the tip-tap playing pattern similar to that of Brazilian Samba.
“I feel sad informing you that coach Joe Erico passed on this morning [Tuesday],” Aghedo told Goal.
“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.” Goal
He introduced the style of play in Nigeria in the 90s’ – while still the coach of Julius Berger FC a.k.a Adewale Bridge boys.
Erico alongside late coach Shuaibu Amodu and late Stephen Keshi qualified the Super Eagles for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, but they were dismissed before the Mundial.
The former goalkeeper’s death was confirmed on Thursday morning by the Super Eagles media officer, Babafemi Raji via Brila FM. (Brila FM
