THE Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has paid glowing tributes to Paul Hamilton, a former Nigerian player and coach, who died in Lagos on Thursday, March 30, after a protracted illness.

Sanusi Mohammed, the NFF general secretary, said: “We are in terrible shock at the news of his death.

“Hamilton was a perfect gentleman in the real sense of the word, in spite of being a former international player for Nigeria and a chief coach of the senior national team.

“He worked very hard and with his whole heart for Nigeria in all spheres, as a player, a coach and as an administrator. The Nigeria football family will miss him dearly.’’

Before his death, in the early hours of Thursday, Hamilton was said to have been diagnosed of heart and kidney related health issues some months ago, and had his right leg amputated early this year.

Hamilton played for the senior national team in the 1960s and early 1970s, including featuring in the football tournament at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Nicknamed ‘Wonderboy’ for his delicate skills and on-field wizardry, Hamilton was at a few times head coach of the senior national team.

He took the reins for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, before Clemens Westerhorf, a Dutchman, took over with only the last match of the campaign left in the series.

— Apr 10, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT

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