Hamilton’s death a national loss —Disu

The death of a former Super Eagles coach, Paul Hamilton has been described as a national loss, by a former Eagles midfielder, Tajudeen Disu

The 75-year-old ex-international died on Thursday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba.

Speaking in an interview, Disu said Hamilton’s demise was a great loss for Nigerian football.

“His death is a national loss because he was a national figure, a symbol of excellence, a patriot and a true professional, both a s a player and a coach.

‘’It is not only his family that will miss him because he touched the lives of many footballers while alive, making his appeal far-reaching than previously thought. It is difficult to find people like the late Hamilton, who was humble to a fault”, said Disu.

The late Hamilton, who while with the defunct ECN, won the Challenge Cup (now Federation Cup) twice in 1965 and 1970, played for the senior national team in the 1960s and early 1970s, also featuring in the football tournament at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City

He was in charge of Nigeria’s U-23 team before being appointed Super Eagles coach.

He was sacked after Eagles failed to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.