Obituary: Nigeria’s 2004 Women’s Afcon winning coach Godwin Izilien dies at 81

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former Super Falcons and Golden Eaglets head coach, Godwin Izilien has passed away on February 7, 2024, aged 81.

His sad development comes just almost 12 months after the loss of arguably the most successful coach of the Nigeria senior women’s national team last year, Ismaila Mabo, Nigeria football community is mourning.

His son, Kelly Izilien confirmed the sad news to Nigeriafootball.ng that his father gave up the ghost at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) after brief illness.

Izilien guided the Super Falcons to the 2004 CAF Women’s Championship title now Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The West African side won their fourth African title in an indomitable fashion winning four of their five games and ultimately the final in an emphatic 5-0 win over Cameroon.

The team had earlier played a 2-2 draw with the Indomitable Lionesses during their second group games before winning the trophy.

He tutored the likes of Felicia Eze, Ajuma Ameh, Perpetua Nkwocha, Vera Okolo, Cynthia Uwak, and Effioanwan Ekpo to mention few players that won the 2004 title.

Izilien was reportedly owed 120,000 Dollars during his time as the coach of the national team. The salary were owed for a period of 20 years before his demise.