Just In: Ex-Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Joe Erico is dead

Joe Erico, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer and assistant coach, has died at the age of 72.

A close family member, Tomiwa Aghedo, while confirming the sad news, said the veteran coach died on Tuesday morning after complaining of stomach ache.

Erico, nicknamed ‘Jogobonito exponent’, was also said to be surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.

“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.”

The veteran coach worked with late coach, Shuaibu Amodu and Stephen Keshi, to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.