Heartbreak struck the Nigerian football community yesterday as a devastating road accident claimed the life of Christian Power Obi, the Heartland FC manager and left several players injured.
The club was traveling to Abakaliki, Ebonyi state to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme preseason tournament. The tragic moment came as the club departed the Dan Anyiam Stadium at Owerri for the preseason tournament at around 3pm in three vehicles.
Some minutes later at about 4 pm, one of the vehicles rammed into a carelessly parked truck in an attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.
The driver tried as he could, but the collision caused the tragic death of their manager, the club confirmed on their official X page.
As a result, some other players sustained various injuries, and all were rushed to the nearest hospital at Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo state.
The sudden death of the manager left the staff and officials of Heartland FC in deep mourning as coach Obi’s name will continue to be part of the club’s history after having an unbeaten run in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season.
His remains had been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue in Owerri while the injured are receiving medical care.
