NPFL players, officials mourn Chinedu Udoji's demise

By Taofeek Babalola

Players and officials of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) have expressed shock over the demise of Kano Pillars defender, Chinedu Udoji, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

Udoji died on Sunday evening in a ghastly motor accident along club’s road, Bompai, Kano, on his way back home after his visit to the Enyimba FC players at their hotel.

The lanky defender displayed a man-of-the-match performance in the matchday9 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter between Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kofamata, Kano which ended 1-1.

.His car after the accident on Sunday

The players and officials in a different condolence messages prayed for the soul of the former Enyimba FC captain to rest in peace.

Akwa United goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo said: “May Ur Soul Rest In Perfect Peace Brother @CHINEDU UDOJI!!! Kai Kai Ile Aiye VANITY!!!”

MFM defender, Jonathan Zikeye added: “What a bad and sad news to hear on a monday morning, God please have mercy on us,am in shock. Rip chinedu udoji.”

Wikki Tourists captain Mustapha Ibrahim said: “Chinedu Udoji may you rest in peace.”

Wikki Tourist FC of Bauchi chairman, Hon Auwalu Baba Jada, on behalf of the club condoled with the Kano Pillars management.

“We at Wikki Tourists have no words to express how deeply sorry we are, but our thoughts are with you as well as the Family of the deceased during this horrible time. We condoled with the Udoji’s family, Kano Pillars FC, the League Management Company (LMC) and the entire football and sports fraternity as a whole following this monumental loss. We pray that the soul of the departed will find eternal rest,” Jada said in a release.

Udoji (25 jersey) exchanging pleasantry with Enyimba FC players
before matchday9 clash on Sunday. 

In a statement, Abia Warriors described the death of the hard tackling centre back as not only shocking but also devastating and prayed God to receive his soul in His bosom.

"We knew Udoji as a very serious defender whenever he was called to action but this news about his death is a serious setback to Nigerian football," the statement revealed.

The chairman Kano Pillars Supporters’ club Bashir Idris Mu'azu said: “I wish to convey my condolence to the management, players, fans of Kano Pillars FC, entire football family and the Family of CHINEDU UDOJI over his sudden death through ghastly motor accident. May his soul rest in peace.”

MALAM Farouk Yarma, executive chairman of FC Yarmalight, a privately owned domestic football division team in Gombe State expressed his condolences to the family, management of Kano Pillars and League Management Company (LMC).

"I'm saddened about the news of Chinedu Udoji's death. It's shocking, as this was a lad that was full of life in the game between Pillars versus Enyimba, then hours later, the sad story broke," Yarma said.

"His death is a loss to our domestic football as he was an experience defender, fantastic captain, role model to the younger players and indeed a true legend of the NPFL.”

The El Kanemi Warriors chairman Zanna Kakaje in a condolences message on behalf of the management added: “The news of Udoji’s death came as a shock to us here in El Kanemi Warriors. May his soul Rest in Peace.”

Coach Mohammed Musa Mouktar said: “RIP chinedu Udoji pillars central defender Ex Enyimba captain 😢,”

Adebanjo Olorunwa Jacob, a Vitória Futebol Clube of Portugal player, said: “ Good night captain, I spoke with you several times here and I can tell how great a man you are. May God give your family the strength to accept this. 😢😢 R.I.P.”