Heartland FC in auto crash, coach feared dead, injured players hospitalised

The immediate past head coach of Heartland FC, Christian Obi, is feared dead in a road mishap involving the team’s bus at Umunna, close to Okigwe in Imo State.

What was supposed to be a routine trip to Abakaliki for the Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO/SELECT pre-season tournament turned out to be a black Friday for one of Nigeria’s top football clubs.

Persecondnews reports that as the team’s bus wound its way through the winding roads, the vehicle, in its attempt to dodge an oncoming vehicle, hit another carelessly parked accident vehicle.

According to reports from the hospital, Coach Obi, known for his calm demeanour, may have lost his life in the crash.

As of the time of reporting, the club has yet to respond to calls or messages to confirm the report.

The team was in shock, their minds numb with grief as the tournament, once a priority, now appears to be trivial.

According to an earlier statement by the club, the accident occurred at Umunna, close to Okigwe, within Imo State.

“The vehicle, in its attempt to dodge an oncoming vehicle, collided with another carelessly parked vehicle in another accident.

“Though no death was recorded, some players and officials sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital.”

The tragic bus accident brings back dark memories of August 21, 1994, when Heartland FC (then known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale) was involved in a tragic plane crash while returning from a CAF Champions League match against Espérance de Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia.

The team had chartered a Nigerian Airways plane, a Fokker F28-4000, to transport them from Tunis to Lagos.

However, the plane stopped to refuel in Tamanrasset, Algeria, where it crashed while taking off, killing 18 people on board, including two Heartland FC players:

1. Aimola Omale (defender)
2. Uche Ikeogu (goalkeeper)

Additionally, three club officials and 13 crew members lost their lives in the disaster. Only 11 people survived the crash.

Nigeria and the football community responded to the incident with widespread shock and grief.

An investigation later revealed that a combination of factors, including pilot error, poor weather conditions, and inadequate safety measures, caused the crash.

The 1994 plane crash remains one of the darkest moments in Nigerian football history, as well as a sombre reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by athletes in pursuit of their dreams.