The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of Heartland FC coach and former U-20 goalkeeper, Christian Obi, describing it as both shocking and tragic.
Heartland’s Media Officer, Olatunde Liadi, confirmed Obi’s passing on Saturday, following a fatal accident involving one of the team’s buses while en route to Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, for a pre-season tournament on Friday.
“With sadness in our hearts and with total submission to the will of God, Heartland FC is announcing the death of Christian Power Obi who died on Friday, August 23, 2024, from a road accident en route to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Pre-season Tournament,” the club said in a statement on Saturday.
“The heartbreaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the pre-season tournament with enthusiasm at around 3:30 pm in three vehicles but at about some minutes after 4 pm, one of the vehicles rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.
“The driver tried as he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Obi who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.
“Coach Obi and other injured players were rushed to the nearby hospital at Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo State but despite the best efforts of the medical personnel our revered coach gave up the ghost,” the statement added.
NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, reacted to the tragic news, saying, “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 Imo State Government, owners of Heartland Football Club.”
Heartland FC, which recently returned to the top tier under Obi’s guidance, also paid tribute to their late coach, who led the team to an unbeaten campaign in the Nigeria National League last season.
“His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022/23 season, a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.
“We appreciate the concerns from all and sundry on the unfortunate incident but the club demands that its privacy and that of the late Obi’s family be respected during this dark period. The club will not be making further statements for the time being.”
Obi had been an integral part of the Nigeria U-20 team that secured the bronze medal at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Soviet Union, where he played a key role in defeating the host nation in a penalty shootout during the third-place match.
Although originally the second-choice goalkeeper, Obi was called into action after the first-choice goalkeeper, Aloysius Agu, was injured during the semi-final match against Brazil in Leningrad.
His remarkable performance in saving three penalties secured Nigeria’s 3-1 victory, marking the nation’s first-ever podium finish in the tournament.
Obi also represented Nigeria in the men’s football tournament at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
