THE Edo State Sports Commission and Bendel Insurance Football Club have expressed sadness over the passing of former club and national team coach Godwin Izilein.
The former Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach died in the early hours of yesterday at the age of 83 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) following a brief illness.
According to his family, the late Izilein fell sick some days ago with complaints of stomach disorder which led to surgery before his demise.
In a condolence message signed by the Edo Sports Commission Chairman, Olympian Yusuf Alli, the Edo sports family said they received the sad news of coach Izilein’s death with rude shock.
“This is another shocking and sad news. We are yet to recover from the demise of coach Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen Imasuen, today it is Izilein. What a loss to Edo and Nigeria as a whole,” Alli, a former African record holder in men’s long jump, said.
“We have lost another great asset and football tactician who in his heyday brought honour to Edo land and Nigeria as a whole.
“We are saddened by the demise of veteran coach Godwin Izilein.
“We commiserate with his immediate family and may God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“We also pray God to grant him eternal rest. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.”
The late Izilein coached the Golden Eaglets and won the 2004 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with the Super Falcons.
He was also the head coach of Bendel Insurance between 1997 and 1999, and also managed Edo Queens in 2019 and 2020.
