Late Super Falcons coach Ismaila Mabo laid to rest

Late former Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo, has been laid to rest according to Islamic rites in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Mabo passed away on Monday morning at the age of 80 after a protracted illness and was buried same day.

He led the Super Falcons to the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games. He won Nigeria its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 1998 and he remains the only coach to qualify an African team to a quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup, the team’s best-ever result.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari extended his condolences to the family of Ismaila Muhammad Abubakar, popularly known as Ismaila Mabo.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, the President prays that the memory of the departed will be a blessing.

Also, the minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare described the late Mabo as a giant in the world of Nigerian football.

“His contribution to the game is unquantifiable. He stayed long even after retirement to give back to the round leather game,” Dare said.

“Pa Ismaila Mabo lived an impactful life and a special space is reserved for him when the history of Nigerian football development is written.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Nigerian legend.

“Mabo laid down a big marker for other coaches when he steered the Super Falcons to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the USA in 1999,” NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau told media.

“Yet, he was simple, humble, and humane. We will miss him, but we are consoled that he left giant footprints in the sands of time and pray that God will grant him eternal rest.”