Miracle Akubuo
Former Golden Eaglets coach, Sebastine Brodericks-Imasuen, who led the team to victory in the inaugural U-17 World Cup in 1985, passed away on January 2 at the age of 85.
The Nigerian coach spent more than a year on life support at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, battling an ischemic stroke diagnosed in December 2022.
Here are 10 key facts about Sebastien Brodericks-Imasuen:
He attended St John’s Primary School, Onitsha, and gained admission to Bishop Shenahan College Orlu in 1955, earning his West African Schools Certificate (WASC) in 1960.
After leaving school, Sebastian joined the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria Football Club of Lagos (ECN FC), playing as a regular from 1962 to 1970.
Brodericks-Imasuen faced health challenges before his death, including diabetes, ischemic stroke, and other severe ailments, limiting his ability to communicate.
He was a member of the Nigeria Olympic team in 1968, famously drawing 3-3 with Brazil in Mexico.
In 1985, he led a three-man crew, including Bala Shamaki and Christian Chukwu, guiding the Nigerian team to a historic victory in China.
Transitioning from playing to coaching, Brodericks attended various coaching courses within and outside Nigeria, becoming a fully-fledged coach by 1985.
Apart from his achievements with the Golden Eaglets, Brodericks had a distinguished career as both a player and a coach, representing Nigeria at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
He guided the Eaglets to victory in the FIFA/Kodak U-16 World Cup in China in 1985 and secured a silver medal in 1987 in Canada, later upgraded by FIFA to the Under-17 World Cup.
In 1985, he became the chief coach of the national U16 team, winning the Kodak-FIFA U16 World Youth Championship in China by defeating West Germany 2-0 in the final.
Before his demise, the late Nigerian coach spent over a year on life support at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
