Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Heartland Football Club of Owerri has announced the death of their coach, Mr. Christian Power Obi who died from a road accident en route Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Friday 23rd August.
In a statement signed by the media team of the football club, Mr. Christian Obi was on his way with other team members to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Pre-season Tournament when the bus he was seated in rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.
“The impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to the coach, who became unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.
“Mr. 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 team regrets the sudden demise of the coach noting that his name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.
“The remains of Coach Obi have been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, (FUTH) morgue in Owerri while the injured have been referred to the same hospital for proper care.”
The statement notes that the club will not be making further statements to allow the family of the deceased privacy in this dark period.