The Nigerian football family have sent messages of condolence to mourn late Kano Pillars defender Chinedu Udoji
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), several Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) club sides and other stake holders in Nigerian football have mourned the death of Kano Pillars defender Chinedu Udoji.
The 28-year-old defender moved to Kano pillars in November, 2016 from fellow NPFL giants Enyimba International.
Udoji put in a man of the match performance in an NPFL game at the Sani Abacha stadium Kano, against his former team Enyimba which ended 1 – 1.
Following his death the NFF released a statement on their official Twitter handle to mourn the loss of the veteran defender.
“The demise of @pillarsfc defender Chinedu Udoji comes as a rude shock to us this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and club. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPUdoji.”
The League Management Company also released a message to mourn the defender on their Twitter handle.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of NPFL's finest defenders. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chinedu Udoji's family, Kano Pillars & #NPFL clubs.”
Udoji was in his second season at Kano Pillars, and the club took their Twitter handle to mourn the untimely death of the veteran defender.
“Tragedy hits Pillars as we lost Chinedu Udoji after a terrific car accident in Kano. The untimely death Chinedu Udoji is shocking and a great loss to the football family.”
The Governor of Kano State his Excellency Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also expressed his sadness about the death of Udoji
“We will not forget Chinedu Udoji, he was our hero, we will give his family all the necessary support, Udoji played with his heart for Pillars, his death is a big loss to the State.” the Governor said in a statement.
Udoji played for Enyimba international from 2006 till 2016, and the Aba based side expressed their sadness in a statement on their official Twitter handle.
Enyimba also stated that black armbands will be worn by players as well a minute silence in all NPFL matchday 10 venues to mourn the late Udoji.
"There will be a minute's silence observed in all #NPFL venues on Matchday 10, and black armbands worn in honour of Chinedu Udoji's memory. #RIPUdoji
Thank you, @LMCNPFL. The very least he deserves."
A minute silence was observed to honour the memory of Udoji at the NFF Awards.
Former Vice-President of Nigeria and PDP Chieftain Atiku Abubakar also took to his Twitter account to mourn the passing of Udoji.
"I sympathize with the management and fans of Kano Pillars on the the sudden death of Chinedu Udoji. I also sympathize with his family and friends over the sad loss and pray that his soul finds a gentle repose."
How Chinedu Udoji died
The defender suffered a fatal car crash on Monday, February 18 while driving his end of discussion Honda car at around 11pm in the evening.
Udoji was on his way to Sambogari quarters to after visiting his ex-Enyimba teammates when he ran into a concrete wall.
The unfortunate event saw, his car somersaulted before landing.
Udoji was rushed to the Mutalla Muhammed Specialist Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 2am in the Morning.
Kano Pillars football club are processing the hospital and police report before his corpse will be taken to his family.
From all of us at Pulse Sports may his gentle soul rest in peace.