Anti-climax for the world cup winning team of the 2007 batch of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets.


After thrilling the world with his superior tactics and advanced knowledge of youth football, Yomi Tella, the coach of Nigeria's victorious U-17 world cup team in the just ended Korea 2007 world cup has died at the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital ( LUTH ) in Nigeria. Yomi Tella passed on at exactly 8 am on Saturday, 20th October, 2007. Tella died of lung cancer and was hospitalized as soon as the Eaglets returned from Korea. He was checked into the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, and couldn't be flown to Germany for medical treatment as planned, due to his detoriating health which could have put him in further stress and danger.


An official statement by the LUTH Public Relations Officer, Babajide Grillo in Nigeria stated that:

The hospital, after consulting with the family of Coach Yemi Tella, do hereby confirm the demise of the coach in the early hours of today (yesterday). The hospital, with the full cooperation of the government provided all professionals and medically required management to attend to this illustrious son. We are however, consoled by the fact that he died leaving a legacy of achievement and patriotism to the fatherland. May his soul rest in peace.

During his sickness, Yomi Tella received good support from the Nigerian government, and was called on phone by the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Musa Yar'Adua, while he was on his sick bed. However, the brave coach gave in after fighting so hard against the deadly cancer ailment.


Burial arrangements for the late world cup winning coach will soon be announced.