The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the death of veteran coach Lawrence Akpokona, who passed away after a prolonged illness.
Akpokona had been bedridden for several months while undergoing treatment and eventually succumbed after a long and courageous battle with ill health.
During his coaching career, he worked with several prominent Nigerian clubs, including Bendel Insurance, Ocean Boys F.C., and Julius Berger F.C.. He was widely regarded for his tactical awareness, professionalism, and strong commitment to developing young football talent.
Over many years in the domestic game, Akpokona contributed significantly to the growth of Nigerian football, helping to shape the careers of numerous players who went on to make their mark at higher levels. His influence extended beyond match days, with many remembering him as a mentor deeply invested in player development.
News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the football fraternity. Former players, coaching colleagues, and fans have described him as a dedicated and influential figure whose impact on Nigerian football will be long remembered.
Lawrence Akpokona leaves behind a legacy defined by service, mentorship, and commitment to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
