By Oluchi tobex tobe-Chukwu
Coach Joy Etim , the first female football coach in Nigeria, is dead.
She died on Wednesday, the 31st of July 2024 in Lagos.
Joy Etim was an assistant coach with the Super Falcons until 2003 when she was redeployed to help the Falcons team B for the 8th All African Games in Abuja.
After her sojourn with the national team , she dedicated her life to discovering, nurturing, and training young girls with a passion for football.
The news of her death was broken, to members of the Nigerian Ex International and professional women Footballers by their president Dr (Mrs) Chioma Ajunwa Opara (M.O.N) who was at the hospital at the time of her death. “My beloved women of valour, just to encourage us that our own beloved coach Joy could not make it. I have reached out to her son, and he is here with us trying to take her to the Morgue. Good night Coach Joy,” Ajunwa concluded.
Joy Etim was an active member of the association until her demise. She was also the coach of Puma Academy , working with late Paul Hamilton, then. She was dedicated to the development of women football.
She is the mother of Emmanuel Etim, a renowned modern football commentator, sports journalist, and pundit.
Coach Joy Etim is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.