Nigerian Coach Joe Erico has passed away according to his wife Mosunmola who confirmed it.

The former Nigerian goalkeeper Erico died at the age of 74 at his Lagos home.

Mrs. Erico revealed that the former Nigerian Coach was recently discharged from hospital after a brief illness.

‘‘Tuesday he wasn’t feeling well and he was discharged yesterday. We took him back home and we laughed and joked all day.

‘’Later that night he ate dinner; we gave him cornflakes, before going to bed. He had also complained of pains so he went to bed early. Early hours Today I went to his room to look him up, but found he was motionless.’’

A former goalkeeper, began his football career with the Nigerian Police Force and played for Electricity Connectors of Nigeria (ECN) before his invitation to to the national team in 1968 and was selected in the squad for the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Ethiopia, where Nigeria finished third place.

He was part of the coaching crew that qualified the Nigeria U23 squad for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and was an assistant to Amodu Shuaibu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup staged in South Korea and Japan.

He also managed Julius Berger FC

Erico is survived by his wife and 4 kids, including Nigerian basketball star Eric Micheal.

His remains have been deposited at the Mortuary.