Heartland Football Club is mourning the sudden death of their head coach, Christian Obi, who died in a tragic accident. The former Nigeria goalkeeper lost his life in a crash on Friday, August 23, near Umunna, Okigwe in Imo State.
The fatal accident occurred as the team was en route to Abakaliki for the Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO/SELECT Pre-season Tournament. The club’s players and officials left Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri around 3:30 pm, excited for the upcoming tournament. However, just after 4 pm, one of the three vehicles in the convoy collided with a stationary truck while trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
In a statement, the club described the heartbreaking events: “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 impact of the collision left Coach Obi unconscious, with a slight injury to his right leg. Despite rushing him to a nearby hospital in Okwelle, Onuimo LGA of Imo State, the medical personnel couldn’t save him. The authorities transferred Coach Obi’s remains to the morgue at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) in Owerri, and they sent the injured players there for further treatment.
Christian Obi, aged 57, was a respected figure in Nigerian football. Before his coaching career, he was a youth international goalkeeper who represented Nigeria in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Last season, he served as head coach of Heartland FC, bringing his experience and passion to the team.
The football community is in shock and grief over the loss of a beloved coach and former player. Heartland FC and its supporters are mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to the sport and to nurturing the next generation of football talent.
