Just as Nigerians were trying to put behind them the rude shock of the death of former Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi, the football world woke up last Saturday morning to the news that four-time national team coach Shuaibu Amodu was dead, three days after the death of Keshi. But must the Nigeria Football Federation wait until their death to honour them?

When the immediate past Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh announced his resignation, citing contract violations, lack of support and unpaid wages, as reason for leaving many were quick to discard his claims, saying that even while he was a player, his coaches were owed and "why does he think things would change in his time."

But the death of Shuaibu Amodu has lent credence to the fact that NFF is not living up to its responsibilities. Probably, if his salaries were paid as and when due, he might be alive today.

As the federation's technical director, Amodu was reportedly on N800, 000 per month but without an office and official accommodation.

According to his brother, Akuri Afegbua, the former Eagles coach died after complaints of chest pain and his inability to get the money NFF owed him, adding that his financial status had made it difficult for him to take care of himself and his immediate family.

"I think he died of frustration due to his financial status. He was not paid. He was complaining of not being paid and had no money to maintain himself and his immediate family," the cousin said.

NFF general secretary Muhammed Sanusi said the football authority would forever be grateful to Amodu for his amazing service to Nigerian and African football.

"He lived for his family and football, Amodu gave his heart and soul to Nigerian football and we can never thank him enough," Sanusi told BBC Sport.

The late NFF technical director first took charge of Nigeria at the age of 36, coached the Super Eagles on four different occasions.

He helped the country to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but Amodu was sacked despite the team's third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

The Nigeria U20s continued their preparations for the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi by beating Nigerian National League side, Katsina United 3-1 in a friendly on Friday morning.

Football College Abuja attacking midfielder Kingsley Michael continued his fine run of form in front of goal, scoring for the third game on the spin after he gave the Flying Eagles the lead in the fifth minute.

At halftime, the scoreboard read 1-0 but it changed early in the second half when skipper Kelechi Nwakali scored directly from a free kick before left-back Udochukwu Anumudu added more gloss to the scoreline with the third goal in the 75th minute.

The Emmanuel Amuneke-led side took their foot off the pedal after going 3-0 up and paid for it, with Ibrahim Sule pulling a goal back for Katsina United eight minutes from time.

The Flying Eagles have won six test games so far, beating Sia-One Academy, Dabo Babes, a Kaduna State –selected side,Supreme Court, FRSC and Katsina United.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shehu Dikko, LMC Chairman, led its management while La Liga President Javier Tebas, led the Spanish delegation to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Dikko said that the partnership would see Nigerian coaches and clubs embark on capacity building tour of Spain and also see the La Liga establish a liaison office in Nigeria.

“We are excited with what happened today because it will help in our quest to change the face of football in Nigeria, using the international best practices.

“We are privileged to lead the reform that is expected to take Nigerian league to the next level.

“La Liga is one of the richest leagues in the world. So, we want to tap from them to make our league better.

“We are working with them on technical issues of developing the league. But, most importantly, they will develop our coaches and players as well as commercial activity.

“The next thing is to get Nigerians to put money into the league because this is our biggest challenge; however, the partnership will also involve marketing.

“Major leagues in the world want to associate with the NPFL and in no distant time, the result will begin to manifest,’’ Dikko said.

On his part, Tebas said the benefits of the partnership deal signed with the LMC would depend how better the NPFL becomes in future.

In a remark, Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastián de Erice, said his country is Nigeria’s third best client on the economic front and would want the relationship replicated in sports.

“Spain and Nigeria have strong relations which are strategic and our political relationships are based on friendship, trust and good understanding.

“Regarding the economic relations, we are the third best client of Nigeria with4.5 billion Euros of oil and gas bought by Spain.

“The MoU signed today will make our sports on mutual relations also strategic; La Liga is one of the most important companies in Spain and its presence in Nigeria is very important,’’ de Erice said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who witnessed the signing, said a page had been opened in the history of football in Nigeria.

Dalung said that the partnership would open up opportunities for exchange of ideas and experiences which is expected to transcend into football and other international relationships.

`The coming of La Liga into Nigerian football is a mark of trust Spain has for Nigeria’s football,’’ Dalung said.

NAN reports that Fernando Sanz, La Liga’s Director for International Projects, Melcior Soler, the Director of Audiovisual Affairs and Antonio Barradas, the La Liga Africa Continent Manager are among the delegation from Spain. (NAN)