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NPFL Commiserates with Heartland on Coach Obi’s demise
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye has expressed sadness at the death of Heartland FC Coach, Christian Obi and injuries sustained by some players of the club in an accident on Friday, August 23.
Obi was a former Nigeria international goalkeeper and has been the Head Coach of the club in the last two seasons.
Elegbeleye narrated that news of the incident filtered in slowly while the NPFL hosted Club Coaches to a workshop preparatory to the start of the new season.
“We were hosting the NPFL Coaches, Captains and Team Managers to a workshop in Abuja, updating them on the new rules rolled out by IFAB when we read snippets from social media posts but could not immediately confirm the veracity.
“It turned out to be true and it is devastating, it is cruel but at the end, we accept that this is life and death is inevitable”, lamented Elegbeleye.
He extended condolence on behalf of the NPFL Board and the Clubs to the immediate family and friends of the deceased, and to the Management of Heartland FC and the Imo State Government.
“Our thoughts are with his immediate and extended family, his friends, Heartland FC players and officials as well as to the Imo State Government”, stated the NPFL Chairman.
He also wished those who sustained injuries in the accident “a speedy and full recovery to return to action on the field of play as soon as is medically possible”.
“While we await further reports on the accident, we would like to assure the club that the NPFL would be in solidarity with them at this very difficult period”.
According to reports, the accident occured as the team comprising players and officials were on their way to Abakaliki for a pre-season tournament before their bus ran into a stationary vehicle while trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle in Okigwe.
Obi was a member of the Flying Eagles team that finished third at the 1985 FIFA Youth Championship (now FIFA U20 World Cup) in Russia, beating the host nation on penalty shootout in the third-place match.
Obi was second-choice goalkeeper but was thrown into the fray in the third-place match following injury to first-choice Aloysius Agu in the loss to Brazil in the semi finals. He was exceptionally agile in stopping three of Russia’s penalty kicks to hand Nigeria a 3-1 win.
He would later be in the Nigeria Olympic football team to the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea
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Riyadh 2025: Nigeria’s Boxing Contingent Departs for Saudi Arabia
Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria’s boxing contingent has officially departs the shores of the country for Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ahead of the 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games, taking place from November 7 to 21, 2025.
The team forms a vital part of Nigeria’s contingent at the multi-sport event, which gathers athletes from across over 55 nations globally. Nigeria’s participation reflects the nation’s commitment to expanding its global sporting profile and using sport as a tool for unity, national pride, and youth development.
Chief de Mission, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the Riyadh Games as a “crucial aspect of Nigeria’s strategic sports development plan,” emphasizing that the event serves as both a test of preparation and a pathway toward greater international success, including at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian athletes receive the necessary support to excel on global platforms.
“This is more than just another international competition; it is a vital stepping-stone for our athletes toward Olympian ambitions,” Hon. Bukola Olopade said ahead of the team’s departure.
“Our team is prepared, focused, and hungry for success. We carry the hopes of the nation with us to Riyadh,” Hon. Olopade added.
Nigeria has maintained a strong presence at the Games since the inaugural edition in 2005. Over the years, the country’s athletes have recorded success across various sporting categories.
The contingent is led by experienced coaches and supported by technical staff dedicated to achieving peak performance levels.
As the competition gets set to begin in Riyadh, all eyes will be on the Nigerian contingent to deliver a performance that reinforces the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.
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