Former team-mates and other ex-internationals are mourning the death of Nigeria international midfielder Thompson Oliha.
Leading the eulogy was Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi who lamented the untimely death of the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale midfielder.
“I call him ‘the General’ in our playing days because he was simply fantastic and very dedicated, very versatile too. I know we’ll all go some day but I think we lost Oliha too early and I pray God will grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss”. Keshi said.
Another former captain of the Super Eagles Henry Nwosu also joined in the mourning of the late former player who he described as a very close friend.
“A fantastic footballer who did a lot for both club and country. He was a friend, team-mate and neighbour at Festac. Oliha was an easy going guy; he was a nice fellow,” Nwosu said.
Christian Chukwu who captained Nigeria to her first Nations Cup title in 1980 also joined in the lamentations as he described the death of the player as a great loss.
“This is a terrible loss and I hope and pray that God will give his family the fortitude to bear the loss. I am really sad,” Chukwu said.
The former Super Eagles captain and coach also lauded the dedication and patriotism of the late Oliha.
“He was always in camp to battle for a shirt with the foreign based and at the end of it all he always beat all those vying for his position.
“He was such a very good midfielder that Nigeria is yet to get a replacement for him till date. I don’t think we can get a midfielder like Oliha again. He never complained and was a very unassuming, energetic young man. He was always ready to play for 90 minutes and it wouldn’t tell on him at all,” said Chukwu.
Thompson Oliha died on Sunday morning after complaining of malaria. He was 44-years-old at the time of his death.