The executive committee and members of Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA) are in mourning, following the death of a leading grassroots coach in the area, Osahon Emokpae.
Sports247 gathered that the sad news was revealed by BDFA chairman, Dr Osondu Martins Ibegbu, who added in a press release that the sad occurrence took place on Wednesday morning.
The BDFA boss noted in his condolence message that Coach Osahon, who was reputed with many achievements in the Ojo axis, was until recently chairman of the association’s caretaker committee.
Ibegbu added, “With a sad heart, I announce the passing of our dear brother, friend, great football coach and the caretaker committee chairman of Badagry Division Football Association, Osahon Emokpae, who passed on after a brief illness
“We are sad and pray that God Almighty will grant him eternal rest. Amen. Rest on, Coach Osahon Emokpae (Chairman, BDFA Caretaker Committee).”
A condolence message also came from the secretary-general of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), Mr Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel, who declared: “I was shocked early in the morning to hear this sad news about the death of Coach Osahon. He was one of the few coaches who I knew worked for passion, not because of money.
“I personally visited him after I learnt that he had one of his legs amputated because of diabetes. We all thought he was recovering and getting over the shock. Sadly, it appears he could not bear the setback any longer. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Sports247 gathered further that one of the biggest achievements of the late Coach Osahon was the discovery and nurturing of current Super Eagles’ striker and Trabzonspor of Turkey top scorer, Paul Ebere Onuachu at Young Stars FC of Satellite Town, Lagos.
Apart from grooming several other talented lads at the trailblazing youth club, which he personally established and trained at Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, Coach Osahon also worked at National Grassroots Dream Team and FC Ebedie of Sagamu.
He was also the pioneer head coach and technical director for the Lagos State branch of Vejle Football Academy, which had former Super Eagles’ attacker, Anthony Nwakaeme as their foundation captain.
He was a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and qualified as a coach from the National Institute for Sports (NIS), where he often told his colleagues that he wanted to emulate the developmental style of former Arsenal of England gaffer, Arsene Wenger.
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