Kashimawo Laloko, ex-NFF director, dies at 76

  Kashimawo Laloko, former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has died at the age of 76, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The 76-year-old was said to have died at Sacred Hearts catholic hospital in Abeokuta on Sunday, after a brief illness. ‘Duro Amene’ — as Laloko was popularly called — was the founder of Pepsi Football Academy in Lagos. In November 1992, Laloko established the Pepsi Football Academy as a football school and based at the Agege Stadium. The initiative secured the total backing of Pepsi in 1994 and has, since then, been titled the Pepsi Football Academy. The Pepsi Football Academy, over the years has developed and grown into one of the most prestigious football academies in Nigeria. Today, the Pepsi Football Academy comprises over 3,000 registered students aged between 6-18 years and operates throughout the year from 14 separate training centres and 54 coaches across Nigeria. The football academy has produced the likes of John Mikel Obi, Odemwingie, etc. Laloko’s son, Adewale, confirmed that his father has died. He disclosed that his father would be buried according to Muslim rites on Tuesday at his Gbonagun residence in Abeokuta, Ogun Statee.