It was 5:20am on Monday morning and I was getting ready to catch a taxi to the Airport and Big Sam sent me a WhatsApp message:
You don hear ba? Udoji. He’s dead. Chinedu Udoji has run his race. He’s gone to be with the Lord.
I was stunned and couldn’t engage in any discussion with the driver. It was heartbreaking. Chinedu Udoji played his last football match on Sunday in Kano Pilalrs 1-1 draw with Enyimba FC. He died in a motor accident after visiting his former teammates, Enyimba after the game.
I have not been as close to any NPFL footballer as I was with Chinedu Udoji. He will be missed. It was a sad weekend. He will be remembered for the 4 trophies he won with Enyimba – 2 league titles and 2 Federation Cups. He captained the side for 5 years before moving to join Kano Pillars up North.
In other NPFL matches at the weekend, Kwara United dug deep to draw 3-3 at Nasarawa United coming from 3-1 down after the 84th minute. Katsina United thrashed FC IfeanyiUbah 3-0 while Heartland needed a 98th minute winner to defeat Wikki Tourists 2-1 in Owerri.
Rivers United defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-0 in Port Harcourt, Abia Warriors were 3-1 winners over Yobe Desert Stars and El-kanemi Warriors needed Nura Mohammed’s 85th minute penalty to defeat Go Round 2-1 in Maiduguri.
Plateau United, MFM FC and Akwa United didn’t feature in any game over the weekend due to their continental engagement this week. We wish them the best.
I am too sad to write now. But we have to move on.
Photo: LMC Media
SoccerGunz 