The story of how Heartland FC coach Christian Obi passed away in a tragic accident
Heartland FC has confirmed the tragic death of their coach, Christian Obi, who passed away following a fatal road accident. SportsRation reports.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community, occurred on Friday, August 23, 2024, as the team was en route to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.
In an official statement, the club expressed deep sorrow over the loss: “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, 23rd August 2024, from a road accident en route to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.”
The statement detailed the heartbreaking sequence of events leading to the accident: “The heartbreaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, for the preseason 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.”
Despite the driver’s efforts to avoid the collision, the impact resulted in significant injuries, particularly to Coach Obi. “The driver tried as he could, but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Christian Obi, who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.”
The club continued, “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.”
Heartland FC expressed the profound grief felt by everyone associated with the club: “Words alone cannot fully capture how the news of his death has thrown everyone at the club into deep mourning because of how precious Coach Obi was to the club. 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 statement concluded by requesting privacy for both the club and Coach Obi’s family during this difficult time: “We appreciate the concerns from all and sundry on the unfortunate incident but the club demands that its privacy and that of the Late Obi’s family be respected during this dark period. The club will not be making further statements for the time being.”
Coach Obi’s remains have been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) morgue in Owerri, while the injured individuals have been referred to the same hospital for further care.
