Former Nigerian football coach, Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen, fondly known as “Sabara,” has passed away after a lengthy battle with illness.
The 85-year-old, who etched his name in history by guiding the Golden Eaglets to victory at the inaugural U-17 World Cup in 1985, breathed his last at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he had been on life support for over a year.
News of his passing first broke from his former player, Bamidele Oguntuashe, before being confirmed by Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force. Brodericks-Imasuen had reportedly been battling both stroke and diabetes for some time.
Beyond his achievements with the Golden Eaglets, Brodericks-Imasuen enjoyed a distinguished career both as a player and coach. He represented Nigeria at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and is remembered for his iconic free-kick goal that secured victory for Bendel Insurance in the 1972 Challenge Cup.
His coaching resume boasts further successes. He served as part of the three-man team that led the Golden Eaglets to triumph in 1985 and steered them to another final in 1987, before narrowly losing on penalties. He also contributed to the Super Eagles as an assistant coach under Clemens Westerhof.
Brodericks-Imasuen’s passion for football began early, playing for the Onitsha team in the Challenge Cup as a student in 1956. He joined ECN in 1962 and was part of their Challenge Cup-winning team in 1965. His rise to national prominence came in 1968, earning a regular spot in the build-up to the Mexico Olympics, where his curving shots and free-kick prowess impressed fans and coaches alike.
He returned to Bendel Insurance after his international career, leaving an indelible mark with his winning goal in the 1972 Challenge Cup replay – the first time the final ventured outside Lagos. His coaching journey took flight soon after, with success at the National Sports Festival.
