October 07, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued an official reaction to the passing away of Sunny Oyarekhua, a former Nigerian international striker, who died on Monday, through the Federation’s General Secretary, expressing shock and sadness over the demise of a true football legend of yore.
Oyarekhua, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was the top scorer in the men’s football event at the 2nd All-Africa Games, which Nigeria hosted in 1973. The Green Eagles won the gold medal after a 2-0 victory over Guinea in the Final. Between 1971 to 1975, he was a member of the Senior Men’s National Team and was noted for his goal-scoring abilities.
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, said of the late former Nigerian international: “Oyarekhua was a quintessential poacher, and also contributed his bit to the administration of the game. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
During the presidency of Brigadier-General Dominic Oneya, who died in early August, the former police officer served on the Nigeria Football Federation’s Board of Directors from 1999 to 2002.
Oyarekhua’s death comes less than a month after Thompson Usiyen, another former Nigerian international striker, died in the United States.
The Nigerian football governing body was also shocked and saddened by the death of Benjamin Alaiya, a prominent journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, on Tuesday night. Alaiya, the Super Eagles’ Media Officer from November 2011 to February 2015, was believed to have died following a brief illness in his birthplace of Ososo, Edo State.
According to Sanusi: “Ben worked very hard in his role as Super Eagles’ media officer and was always a jolly good fellow. He was very professional and dedicated. This is quite sad. Our hearts go out to his young wife and the children.
“We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also give the family and other loved ones he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. It is devastating.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
