Former Super Falcon Ifeanyi Chiejine dies after brief illness

Former Super Falcons captain, Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine has died after a brief illness.

The announcement was made by the Nigeria Football Federation on its official twitter handle on Thursday.

“We are sad to announce the sudden demise of former @NGSuper_Falcons player Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine who passed on after a brief illness on Wednesday, 21st August 2019,” The NFF said on Twitter.

Chiejine was the captain of the inaugural set of the U19 National Women’s team to the premier U19 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2002.

Prior to that feat, Chiejine had featured in the 1999 Women’s World Cup as a 16-year-old. She remains the youngest player to ever feature at the Mundial at 16 years and 34 days.

We are sad to announce the sudden demise of former @NGSuper_Falcons player Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine who passed on after a brief illness on Wednesday, 21st August 2019. Ifeanyi captained the first set of the U19 National Women's team to the first U19 (Now U20) @FIFAWWC in 2002 pic.twitter.com/5SrlZwRROX

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) August 22, 2019

The 36-year-old also featured in the 2003 and 2007 Women’s World Cup, the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games, and in three African Women’s Championships (1998, 2000, 2002). During her illustrious Super Falcons career, Chiejiene had 58 caps for the Super Falcons; she scored 15 goals in 61 games.

“Smally”, as she is fondly called for her small frame, won many fans across Nigeria, United States, Finland, Russia and Kazakhstan where she played until her death because of her pace, athleticism and goalscoring touch.