Former Nigerian Goalkeeper dies in auto crash

By Iyojo Ameh

A former Nigeria goalkeeper and head coach of Heartland Football Club, Mr Christian Obi, has died in a fatal auto crash.

The accident occurred on Friday, August 23, at Umunna, near Okigwe, Imo State, when the club’s players and officials were on their way to Abakaliki for the Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO/SELECT Pre-season Tournament.

The club confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement.

It said, “The heartbreaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the preseason 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.

“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”.