NFF Mourns Jerry Azinge

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Tuesday mourned the passing away of former Captain of the senior national team, Jerry Azinge, who died on Thursday.

Azinge captained the national team and also played as a member of the team between 1965 and 1968.

The NFF recalled how the lion-hearted defender made his debut for Nigeria in a friendly against Gabon in Libreville on 30 August, 1965, which Nigeria won 4-1.

He played alongside the likes of Paul Hamilton, Sam Opone, Sam Garba Okoye, Sunday Anieke and Ifeanyi Osadebe.

Azinge then captained the team in a Zik Cup match against Ghana in Accra on 22 October, 1967 that Nigeria lost 2-1 and in a 1968 Olympic Games qualifying match against Sudan in Khartoum on 17 November, 1967 that Nigeria also lost 2-1, but qualified on an away goal rule after earlier winning the first leg 1-0.

In his letter of condolence to the family, NFF President Aminu Maigari wrote: “Indeed, the entire Nigeria football family is greatly saddened by this sad event, as we recall vividly late Jerry Azinge’s tremendous contributions to Nigerian football, having captained the senior national team of Nigeria and also as a member of the team between 1965 and 1968.

“The late Jerry Azinge typified the old school, as he showed total commitment and dedication to the national cause all through his years with the national team, and fought bravely for the Nigeria nation with gusto, discipline and elegance”.