The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described the death of Heartland FC coach and former U-20 goalkeeper, Christian Obi, as shocking and tragic.
Heartland’s Media Officer, Olatunde Liadi, confirmed Obi’s passing in a statement on Saturday, following a severe accident involving one of the team’s buses. The incident occurred on their way to Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, for a pre-season tournament on Friday.
“With deep sadness and in total submission to God’s will, Heartland FC announces the death of Christian Power Obi, who passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, due to a road accident while traveling to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Pre-season Tournament,” the club stated on Saturday.
“The tragic day began with the Heartland FC team departing Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, with enthusiasm for the pre-season tournament around 3:30 pm in three vehicles. However, shortly after 4 pm, one of the vehicles collided with a carelessly parked truck while attempting to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
“The driver did his best to prevent a collision, but the impact caused a sudden shock to our coach, Obi, who was left unconscious and sustained a slight injury to his right leg after being evacuated from the badly damaged part of the bus.
“Coach Obi and other injured players were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Okwelle, Onuimo LGA, Imo State. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, our respected coach sadly passed away,” the statement continued.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau expressed his grief, saying, “We are still shocked and deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts and condolences are with Coach Christian Obi’s immediate family, his friends, and relatives, the Imo State Football Association, and the Imo State Government, owners of Heartland Football Club.”
Heartland FC, a former Nigeria Premier Football League team, also paid tribute to their late coach, who led them back to the top flight last season.
“His name will forever remain etched in the club’s history for leading us to an unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League during the 2022/23 season, a feat that culminated in winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.
“We appreciate the concern and support from everyone regarding this unfortunate incident, but we ask that the privacy of the club and Coach Obi’s family be respected during this difficult time. The club will not make any further statements for now.”
Christian Obi was a member of Nigeria’s U-20 team that won the bronze medal at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup) in the Soviet Union. In the third-place match, Nigeria defeated the host nation in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time in Moscow.
Although Obi was the second-choice goalkeeper, he was called into action for the third-place match after the first-choice, Aloysius Agu, was injured during the 2-0 semi-final defeat to Brazil in Leningrad. Obi’s remarkable performance, saving three penalty kicks from the Soviet Union team, secured a 3-1 shootout victory and Nigeria’s first-ever podium finish in the tournament.
The late coach was also part of Nigeria’s squad for the men’s football tournament at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
