As the remains of former Super Eagles defender, Uche Okafor was committed to mother earth in his family home in Ezeakpi Umuabali Ubomiri, near Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, yesterday, his former teammates, especially Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha and current Eagles coach, Samson Siasia wept bitterly at the funeral.
The former ACB Bank of Lagos defender was found hanging in his home in Texas, USA last month. All the former Eagles players, who played a commemorative novelty match that ended 1-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri to bid their departed colleague farewell fought back tears as he was buried.
Okocha and Siasia played with the deceased when Nigeria won the Tunisia ’94 Nations Cup and also featured in the same team paraded by Nigeria at her first ever World Cup in USA ’94.
Okocha, a member of the Delta State Football Association could not stand it when the casket used to cover the remains of Okafor was being conveyed by his former teammates.
Even Okafor’s widow, Ifeyinwa, her daughter, Tochukwu, the delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and sympathizers present wailed on sighting the corpse during the lying in state.
The former Bolton Football Club of England skipper, Okocha however made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government, begging that the stars of yesteryears should not be forgotten in a hurry. He wants their dues given to them when they are alive.
He said; “This is our biggest problem in Nigeria. It seems that we do not get our rewards when we are still alive. It is sad because it does not encourage the younger generation of Nigerian players.”
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Breaking news: Footballer Uche Okafor was murdered - nollywoodgists.com
LAST JOURNEY ... arrival of the remains of late Uche Okafor for a lying in state at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri
ALL-4-OKAFOR ... Former Eagles coach, 'Chairman' Christian Chukwu (m) flanked by present Eagles coach Samson Siasia (r), Austin Eguavoen (2rd R), Austin Jay Jay Okocha (2nd L) and Uche Okechukwu at the lying in state of late Uche Okafor
The laying in state of Late Uche Anthony Okafor at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri
Picture Shows Novality match between Super Eagles and old Spatans football Club at Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri, Imo state.
middle field action Eagle 1994 and old Spatens Jay Jay Okocha in Action
SPORTSMANSHIP ... Group Sports Editor, Vanguard, Mr. Onochie Anibeze (L) and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Imo State, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Anyikwa
The last red card by Mr. Amadi Nicholas the referee to late Uche Okafor at the laying in state of Late Uche Anthony Okafor at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri
WAILING ... Members of the late Uche Okafor's family, (R-L), Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okafor, (widow), Miss Toochukwu Laureen Okafor (daughter), Mrs. Ugomma Okorouro, Ujunwa Okorougo and others.
Shows the members of old Spatans Football club at the
laying in state of Late Uche Anthony Okafor at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri. Pix by Hill Ezeugwu
Super Eagle 1994 Team with some of members Nigeria coaches at the The laying in state of Late Uche Anthony Okafor at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri .Pix by Hill Ezeugwu
The 1994 team bring out the body of Late Uche Okafor out of the Ambulance. Pix by Hill Ezeugwu
so AGONISING ... Widow of late Uche Okafor, Mrs. Ifeyinwa wiping tears from daughter, Toochukwu as they agonise over the death of their breadwinner
Super Eagle 1994 team
Super Eagle 1994 team
Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okafor and daughter Miss Tochukwu Laureen Okafor.
For L/R are Mrs Ugomma Okorougo, Mrs Ujunwa Okorougo, Chukwuemeka Okorougo and Mrs. Uzoma Okorougbo
Pix thanks to Hill Ezeugwu and Aliyu ADEKUNLE