Nigeria Football Federation executive board member, Aisha Falode, has declared that the Nigeria Football Federation should immortalise the legendary Super Falcons ex-coach, Ismaila Mabo, after he did what no other coach had done when he served as chief coach of the team.
Mabo, who died in his hometown, Jos, Plateau State after a protracted illness at the age of 80 years, remained the best coach of the Falcons, either home-based and foreign-based, gave his best which propelled the country as the best women’s national team in Africa.
Falode, stated that, Nigeria has lost a legend whose contributions to the growth of women’s football in Nigeria is indelible and unequalled until his passage Monday after a protracted illness.
“Mabo, remained the greatest women’s football coach in Nigeria even into his grave.
“His FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter finals achievement at the USA 99 World Cup stayed intact, not minding the appointments of numerous foreign coaches after he left the national team in the year 2001.
“The set of players he groomed in the Super Falcons from 1995 to 2001, which included the first African Footballer of the Year, Mercy Akide, and a second Nigerian player who won the CAF African Footballer of the Year five times, Perpetual Nkwocha, and indeed the greatest collection of women’s players in the history of women’s football in the country, from the goalkeepers to the last player.” And they included: Ann Agumanu, Judith Chime, Marvis Ogun, Florence Omagbemi, Kikelomo Ajayi, Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre, Ifeanyi Chiejine, Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Maureen Mmadu, Stella Mbachu, Adanna Nwaneri, Nkechi Egbe, Eberechi Okparaku, Rita Nwadike, Marta Terhemba, Yinka Kudaisi and Gloria Usieta.
Falode, noted that, Ismaila Mabo, stood out as the only coach, either foreign or home-based to take the Super Falcons to the Nations Cup, the World Cup and the Olympic Games. He practically changed the history of women’s football in Nigeria. He cannot be forgotten, he was an epitome of success in Nigerian women’s football.”
As Chief coach of the Super Falcons, he produced two players who won the African Footballer of the Year, Cynthia Uwak and Perpertua Nkwocha – five times African Footballer of the Year winner. And offcourse the greatest women’s football goalkeeper in the history of the game in Africa, Ann Agumanu Chiejine.
The late coach Ismaila Mabo, must be immortalised by the Nigeria Football Federation in appreciation to his commitment to the development of women’s football in Nigeria, Aisha Falode, said.
The death of Ismaila Mabo marks the end of the first generation of first class national women football team coaches.
Already gone are ; Coaches Paul Hamilton, Ntiero Effiom, Felix Ibe Ukwu, Oluwole Santana, George Emenite and lately Dan Evumena.
