The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sadness and shock over the death of former Nigeria international goalkeeper Christian Obi in a tragic car accident involving players and officials of his club, Heartland FC of Owerri in Okigwe, Imo State.
NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We are deeply saddened by the report. Our thoughts are with 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.
“We extend our condolences to the Imo State Government on this unfortunate situation, and pray that Almighty God will grant the late Christian Obi eternal rest. We also pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Reports indicated that Heartland FC players and officials were en route to a pre-season tournament named after another former Nigeria international in Abakaliki when their bus collided with a stationary vehicle while trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle in Okigwe.
Christian Obi was a member of the Nigeria U20 team that secured the bronze medal at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA U20 World Cup) in the Soviet Union. He was the second-choice goalkeeper but played a crucial role in the third-place match, saving three of the Soviet Union team’s penalty kicks, leading Nigeria to a 3-1 victory in the shootout.
Christian Obi was also part of Nigeria’s squad at the Men’s Football Tournament of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
