It
was grief all through as the remains of former Super Eagles midfielder
and AFCON 1994 gold medalist, Thompson Oliha, were laid to rest in Benin
City on Friday.Earlier in the morning, there was lying-in-state in honour of the former Bendel Insurance player at the mainbowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, where people paid their last respects to the footballer and a mock football match involving Benin selected side and ex-internationals mixed with players of the Kwara Football Academy was played.
Oliha, aged 44, died in the early hours of Sunday, June 30, 2013, leaving behind two young kids, Jesus Isosa Oliha and Paris Oliha.
After the proceedings at the stadium, the body of Oliha was taken to his compound at Thompson Oliha Avenue, off Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City.
Some of the ex-internationals who spoke with Saturday Tribunsport at the stadium called on the government to as a matter of urgency look into the welfare of the children left behind by the late Oliha as they are too young to understand the demise of their father.
Former Super Eagles defender and U-23 assistant coach, Ben Iroha, said the government of President Goodluck Jonathan should extend the hand of fellowship to the family of Oliha as he did with the 1996 Olympics 4 x 400 metres athletes that were rewarded a few days ago by fulfilling all the promises made to the 1994 members of Super Eagles by the administration of the late head of state, General Sani Abacha.
Iroha said; “Oliha was not just a colleague, he was a friend. We started together in the home-based team since 1989 when Westerhof first came to the country. We were the first set of home-based players who formed the bulk of the 1994 squad. I also played with him in Iwuanyanwu Nationale. We were actually room mates and he had so much passion for the game.”
Last modified on Saturday, 27 July 2013 03:54
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