By Suleiman Mustapha
Heartland FC coach and former U-20 goalkeeper, Christian Obi, has died in a ghastly accident involving one of the team’s buses on their way to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, for a pre-season tournament on Friday.
Heartland’s Media Officer, Olatunde Liadi confirmed the death of the gaffer in a statement on Saturday.
He said, “With sadness in our hearts and with total submission to the will of God, Heartland FC is announcing the death of Christian Power Obi who died on Friday, August 23, 2024, from a road accident en route to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Pre-season Tournament.
“The heartbreaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the pre-season 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.
“The driver tried all he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Obi who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.
“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,” the statement added.
Speaking on the coaches’ death, NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, said, “We are 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 State Football Association and the Imo State Government, owners of Heartland Football Club.”
