The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of former Nigerian international goalkeeper Christian Obi, who died in a serious car accident on Friday.
The incident involved players and officials from his club, Heartland FC of Owerri, in Okigwe, Imo State.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau stated, “We are still in shock and deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts are with Coach Christian Obi’s family, friends, the Imo State Football Association, and the Imo State Government, who are the owners of Heartland Football Club.”
While awaiting more details about the accident, the NFF conveyed their condolences to the Imo State Government and prayed for the eternal rest of Christian Obi, as well as a speedy recovery for those injured.
Reports indicate that Heartland FC’s players and officials were en route to a pre-season tournament named after another former Nigerian international in Abakaliki when their bus collided with a stationary vehicle while attempting to avoid an oncoming car in Okigwe.
Christian Obi was a member of the Nigeria U20 team that won a bronze medal at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the FIFA U20 World Cup) in the Soviet Union, where they defeated the host nation in a penalty shootout after a scoreless match in Moscow.
Although Obi was the second-choice goalkeeper, he stepped in during the third-place match after the first-choice keeper, Aloysius Agu, was injured in the semi-finals against Brazil. Obi’s outstanding performance in saving three penalty kicks secured Nigeria’s first podium finish in FIFA’s second most prestigious tournament.
Additionally, Christian Obi was part of Nigeria’s squad for the Men’s Football Tournament at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
