By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka on August 24, 2024
The Nigeria Football Federation has described as “shocking and very sad,” the death on Friday of former Nigeria international goalkeeper Christian Obi, in a ghastly automobile crash involving players and officials of Heartland FC of Owerri in Okigwe, Imo state.
NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We are still stunned and saddened by the report. Our hearts go out to the immediate family of Coach Christian Obi, his friends and relations, the Imo State Football Association and the state Government, owners of Heartland Football Club.
“While we await further reports on the accident, we commiserate with the Imo state government on this unfortunate situation, and pray that Almighty God will grant the late Christian Obi eternal rest, and also pray that the injured regain good health speedily.”
Reports said Heartland FC players and officials were on their way to a pre-season tournament named after another Nigeria ex-international, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state before their bus ran into a stationary vehicle while trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle in Okigwe.
Obi was a member of the Nigeria U20 team that won the bronze medals at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA U20 World Cup) in then Soviet Union, defeating the host nation on penalty shootout in the third-place match after scoreless regulation and extra time in Moscow.
Though Obi was second-choice goalkeeper, he was thrown into action in the third-place match following injury to first-choice Aloysius Agu in the 0-2 defeat to Brazil in the semi finals in Leningrad, and Obi’s heroics in saving three of the Soviet Union team’s penalty kicks handed Nigeria a 3-1 win in the shootout and first-ever podium finish in FIFA’s second most important tournament.
Obi was also part of Nigeria’s squad to the Men’s Football Tournament of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
It would be recalled that Heartland FC years ago in agony lost some players in a plane crash when they were Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
|
|
|
Source Daily Sports Nigeria
Posted August 24, 2024
You may also like...
NFF formally applies for Aina’s switch
Scoring For Man Utd A Dream Come True...
Usain Bolt offered Central Coast Mariners contract —...
Mali edge Gabon to book Afcon ticket
Solskjaer ‘Optimistic’ On January Signings
Maradona Tests Positive For Covid-19
Drogba, Ighalo, Mikel shaped my career — Osimhen
My dream is to represent Nigeria at Olympics – Viral jumper Dauda
Dauda shows raw talent, needs urgent grooming – Coach Soetan
Lookman braces for Barca Champions League test
Okoye shifts focus to 2030 World Cup
Record holder Amusan to battle Olympic champ Russell in Eugene
Lagos schools begin chase for glory at 3rd TASG
Arokodare credits tactical call for comeback goal
Eze dumps S’Africa for Nigeria ahead World U-20 champs
7th U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Teams Record Victories As Preliminary Round Hots Up Across Centres
Nwabali not desperate for new club
AFCON drama: Senegal rejects CAF verdict, moves to appeal
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,633 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,961 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,872 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,480 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,406 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,315 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,185 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,724 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,910 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,416 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,815 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,290 views)