By Akinwale Kasali
The death of former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Christian Chukwu has seen several personalities, including President Bola Tinubu, Governors, Football administrators, business moguls and fans alike paying condolences and eulogizing him for his impact on the nation’s football enclave.
However, his former teammate and friend, Adokiye Amiesimaka, a Port Harcourt – based Lawyer, has reservations over the sorrow over his passing by the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
Reacting to Chukwu’s passing, Amiesimaka said: “Chukwu lived his life, my condolences. I will reach out to the family. But what I detest is the hypocrisy of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
“I read somewhere that they were expressing sorrow. That’s utter rubbish, they are not sincere.
“Do you know they were owing him? Except he was paid recently, they owed him for years; his due reward for services rendered, and they have the audacity to express grief over his death. What a shame.
“For me, I am happy I had the opportunity of knowing him and playing alongside him at the national team and we had an excellent relationship.
“Even after football, we enjoyed a wonderful relationship. I even represented him in some legal matters here in Port Harcourt.
“It is always sad when one loses a friend but I want to dwell on the fact that we had sweet memories then as members of the Green Eagles. We had a wonderful experience and I am happy we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 for the first time 45 years ago.
“I thank God for that privilege”, Amiesimaka stated.
In the same vein, Sylvanus Okpala, another member of the 1980 Green Eagles squad said, Chukwu’s passage was a sad story.
“It’s so unfortunate that Chukwu has passed on. When Onochie Anibeze buried his mother February, we were all there together, singing and dancing.”
Okpala said he would remember Chukwu as a gentleman. “I never saw him quarrel with anybody since the first day I knew him.”
Continuing, Okpala said Chukwu was one of the finest footballers he has ever met.
“As a defender he was very calculative. An attacker could hardly beat him. And he was a free kick specialist too.”
He recalled that the late Chukwu made Enugu Rangers what it is today.
“He joined Rangers in 1973 and grew through the ranks to become the face of Rangers and a national icon. We have lost him.”
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