Christian Obi: NFF pays tribute to Heartland FC coach killed in bus tragedy

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described as “shocking and very sad” the death of former Nigeria international goalkeeper Christian Obi.

Obi was involved in a ghastly automobile accident on Friday, which involved players and officials of his club, Heartland FC of Owerri, in the Okigwe area of the state.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s spokesperson, on Saturday quoted NFF president Ibrahim Gusau as saying the Nigeria football house was 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 Football Association and the Imo government, owners of Heartland Football Club.

“While we await further reports on the accident, we commiserate with the Imo government on this unfortunate situation.

“We pray that Almighty God will grant the late Obi eternal rest and also pray that the injured regain good health speedily,” he said.

Reports said Heartland FC players and officials were on their way to a pre-season tournament named after another Nigeria ex-international in Abakaliki.

This was when their bus ran into a stationary vehicle while trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle in Okigwe.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 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 the Soviet Union.

They defeated the host nation in a penalty shootout in the third-place match after scoreless regulation and extra time in Moscow.

Though Obi was a second-choice goalkeeper, he was thrown into action in the third-place match following the injury to first-choice Aloysius Agu in the 0-2 defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals in Leningrad.

Obi’s heroics in saving three of the Soviet Union team’s penalty kicks handed Nigeria a 3-1 win in the shootout and a first-ever podium finish in FIFA’s second most important tournament.

He was part of Nigeria’s squad for the men’s football tournament of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.