7th January, 2011
Reports from America this afternoon say former Super Eagles’ defender, Uche Okafor is dead.
P.M.Sports gathered that Okafor, 43, who was part of the gold winning Eagles squad at Tunisia ’94 African Cup of Nations, was found dead at his Dallas, Texas home in United States of America early today.
Reports monitored on Supersport and kickoff.com revealed that Okafor was said to have taken his daughter to school this morning and was later found dead in his US home.
Benedict Iroha, who played with the late Okafor between 1990 and 1994, was quoted as saying that he received the shocking news of the death of his former teammate through a telephone conversation from America.
“Seriously, I still find it difficult to believe when I got the call from the US this afternoon. This is a really sad way to begin the year,†Iroha lamented.
Iroha added that he is yet to know what really caused the sudden death of his former teammate. “I’m yet to know what happened. But, I feel so sad to hear this because he was a very marvelous friend and brother,†said the assistant coach of Heartland Football Club of Owerri.
While the US Police are still investigating the cause of his death, sources from his base in America claimed that Okafor may have committed suicide shortly after returning home from his daughter’s school.
Okafor, paired Uche ‘The Gentle Giant’ Okechukwu, in Eagles’ centre defence for greater part of his career for Nigeria, including when Nigeria featured in her first ever World Cup at USA ’94.
It was gathered that the police in the US have cordoned off his home to allow coroner carry out an inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The late player, who hails from Mbommiri Mbaitoli LG of Owerri, Imo State, began his professional career at the defunct ACB Football Club before he played for KRC Mechelen. He also played for Hannover 96 before ending his career at Sporting Kansas City.
While reacting to his death this afternoon, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, said they were shocked to receive the news of Okafor’s demise.
“The NFF is shocked, it’s unbelievable. We have heard about it but still trying to seek confirmation on what went wrong with the former player. It’s a big shock!†said Demola Olajire, the image maker of NFF this afternoon.
— Tunde Oyedele & Taiwo Adelu
