Heartland FC has announced the tragic death of their coach, Christian Power Obi, following a road accident on Friday, August 23, 2024.
According to a statement by the club’s Media Manager, Tunde Liaidi, the incident occurred as the team was traveling to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Pre-season Tournament.
The statement added that died after going unconscious from a collision between the club’s bus and a stationary truck.
“The heart breaking day saw the Heartland FC team depart Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the tournament with enthusiasm at around 3:30pm in three vehicles. However, at about some minutes after 4pm, one of the buses rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.
“The driver tried as he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Christian Obi who went into unconsciousness 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 read.
The club added that the news of Obi’s death has thrown everyone at the club into deep mourning because of how precious he was to the club.
“His name would continue to remain etched in the history of Heartland following the club’s unbeaten run in the 2022-2023 season of the Nigeria National League, a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State,” the statement added.
The statement added that Obi’s remains have been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) morgue in Owerri, while the injured players have been referred to the same hospital for further care.
