Nigerian football mourns Solomon Ogbeide

Stakeholders in Nigerian football yesterday described the late Coach Solomon Ogbeide as one of the last remaining custodians of the country’s football culture, saying his demise has taken a lot out of the game.

Coach Solomon Ogbeide, who until his sudden death on Monday, was the technical adviser to Lobi Stars of Makurdi. In a statement yesterday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep shock over Ogbeide’s death, saying, “We are heartbroken. Words are inadequate to describe the sense of loss. There was no doubt that he was among the very best in the country and even on the African continent, having led Lobi Stars to the group stage of this year’s CAF Champions League competition.
 
“Our hearts go out to Lobi Stars Football Club and its management and staff, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association and the immediate family of Coach Ogbeide,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said yesterday.Reports said Ogbeide, a former member of the executive council of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, slumped and died after suffering low blood pressure.
 
The late Solomon Ogbeide was highly respected in coaching circles in the country, for his knowledge, energy, experience, diligence and encouragement of upcoming professionals in the coaching field.
 
“We pray that Almighty God will grant his soul peaceful rest and grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss,” Sanusi added.In its reaction, the League Management Company (LMC), directed Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) coaches, players and officials to honour the late Coach Ogbeide by wearing black armbands during fixtures of MatchDay on May 26.LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, who announced the decision, described the news of the Lobi Stars Coach as “a grave loss to the league and hundreds of players he trained in over two decades of his career as football coach in our league.”

Dikko said the LMC would go to lengths to honour those who have contributed in any capacity to the development of the league.“In addition to the black armbands, a minute silence will be observed before kickoff at all the match venues in honour of the veteran coach,” Dikko stated. Ogbeide joined Lobi Stars in 2017 and had worked previously with Julius Berger, the defunct Nigerdock, Warri Wolves and Sunshine Stars, amongst others.