NFF, KESHI MOURNS THOMPSON OLIHA

NFF, KESHI MOURNS THOMPSON OLIHA

Posted: Jul 01, 2013

Former Super Eagles midfielder and a member of the 1994 African Nations Cup winning squad in Tunisia,Thompson Oliha is dead, aged 45.

Oliha died in the early morning of Sunday at Yusjib Industrial Medicare in Ilorin, shortly after he reportedly slumped in his toilet.

He was later rushed to the Medicare, where the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Abdulraheem Yusuf confirmed his death to newsmen.

Before his death, Oliha was reported to have been vomiting after he led Kwara Football Academy to beat a Malian team, Ben Mackezie Football Foundation on Saturday in Ilorin.

Until his death, the ex-Nigeria International was the coach of the senior students of the academy.

Meanwhile Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has paid glowing tributes to his former colleague.
Keshi said Oliha’s passing was a shock. 

“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,” said Keshi. 

He won 31 caps and scored two goals for Nigeria. He featured at the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America as well as at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also played at 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile.

  Late Oliha played for Bendel Insurance, Heartland, Africa Sports (Cote D'Ivoire), Maccabi Ironi Ashdod FC (Israel) and Antalyaspor (Turkey). ---------------------- complete sports