Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen’s exit

0N January 3, 2024, Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen, a former Nigeria international who also coached the national team for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Under-16 World Championship in China where the country defeated Germany 2-0 in the final match to lift the trophy, bade the world farewell. He died aged 85 during a prolonged battle with stroke. News of his death was confirmed by Harrison Jalla, the chairman of the Professional Football Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task force, who wrote:  “Veteran coach Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen who won Nigeria’s first World cup at the Under-16 level, is no more. The coach who has been bedridden for a long time died early this morning according to family sources.”

Expectedly, the announcement has been greeted with tributes for the man who opened the floodgate for Nigeria’s stellar, unmatched record at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. In his reaction to Broderick-Imasuen’s transition, President Bola Tinubu said he received with heavy heart the news of the passing of one of Nigeria’s finest football coaches. In a release issued by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, the president celebrated the football icon who brought hope and inspired national pride by his industry, devotion, and diligence on and off the pitch, describing him as a true Nigerian hero. President Tinubu sympathised with the Imasuen family, the football community, the government of Edo State, and all those who mourn this agonising loss while praying for the repose of the soul of the dearly departed.

In the same vein, the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, mourned the passing of the veteran football coach, describing him as a great Edo son and one of Nigeria’s most accomplished football players and coaches. He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of a great Edo son and one of Nigeria’s most accomplished football players and coaches, Sebastian Broderick Imasuen, who passed away at the age of 85. He distinguished himself on and off the pitch and brought a peculiar flair for football that set him apart from his contemporaries. A legend in the game of football, he was renowned for his role in the development of football in Nigeria, discovering young talents and projecting them to national prominence. The late Imasuen was a dedicated family man whose exploits as a football player and tactician knew no bounds, as he was renowned for his astuteness, discipline, boldness and commitment to sports in our dear state and country. Outspoken and fervently patriotic, he was emblematic of the indefatigable Edo spirit and was an inspiration to generations both within and beyond the world of sports.”

On its part, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), speaking through its General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “The NFF and the entire Nigeria Football fraternity are sorely pained by the demise of Coach Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen. He worked very hard at his craft and was tireless in his efforts to bring honour to the homeland through the various National Teams he worked with. No one can ever forget how he led an unsung group of boys to China to win a first-ever FIFA World Cup for Nigeria and Africa.”

Broderick-Imasuen’s legacy indeed extends far and wide. He represented Nigeria as a player in the 1968 Mexico Olympics and was famous for scoring a winning free kick at the 1972 Challenge Cup for Bendel Insurance Company FC. A gifted midfielder in his active years, Broderick-Imasuen had the discipline and technicality to play either in the front of the defence squad, or up field as a playmaker. As a footballer, he was utilitarian and his career was highlighted by several winning streaks.  His coaching career saw him lead the Golden Eaglets to multiple World Cup appearances. He won the 1985 edition of the FIFA U-16 World Cup and reached the finals of 1987 edition of the tournament, succumbing to the Soviet Union on penalties. Two years later, in Scotland, his team lost to eventual winners Saudi Arabia on penalties in the quarterfinals. Subsequently, FIFA upgraded the competition to an U-17 tournament and Nigeria, led by Coach Fanny Amun, eventually ruled the world again in 1993, repeating the feat in 2007 under Coach Yemi Tella, in 2013 under Coach Manu Garba and in 2015 under Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, as a testament to the pioneering efforts of Broderick-Imasuen, who also assisted Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhoff to coach the senior national side, the Super Eagles, during its golden era. Nigeria finished as runners-up at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria, but ruled Africa at the 1994 edition in Tunisia. He also handled local football clubs like Udoji United FC, Bendel Insurance FC and El Kanemi Warriors FC among others during his active years.

Without doubt, Broderick-Imasuen promoted and enriched the game to the best of his ability in spite of the several constraints along his career path, including economic ones. And as the country mourns his departure, care must be taken to remove these constraints to brighten the future of Nigerian football. There is a direct link between the Nigeria’s economy and its sports and if the country fails to get its economy and politics right, its sports will remain underdeveloped, merely producing raw talents to feed the developed leagues of the world. It is not debatable that personages like Sebastian Broderick and many of his colleagues in the sports sector did not receive adequate welfare coverage, especially in their twilight years. That need not continue being the case.  The country has lost one of its football heroes. Adieu, Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen. May your soul rest in sweet repose.