Emotion flows at it peak as the remains of the late Sunshine Queens Goalkeeper, Elizabeth Johnson Black (Janded) was interred at her resident in Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday.
Players and Officials of the team led by a member of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) Management Committee, Prince Tunde Ogunja were on ground to pay their last respect to the ex -international who died on February 19 2022 after a brief illness.
Ogunja who led the group delegated by the Ondo State Government to the ceremony, urged the family to take solace in the fact that God giveth and taketh.
He prayed that such will never happened again in the Johnson’s family and Sunshine Queens.
“Our Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his Deputy who is the Chairman Management committee of the Club, Hon. lucky Aiyedatiwa and the entire Ondo State people sympathized with the family.”
The former Green Eagles player, frowned at the absent of the representative of Nigeria Football Federation NFF and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) at the burial of the former national team player.
He stated: “Elizabeth Johnson Black had served Nigeria at both Super Falcons and Falconets level, she deserved national recognition. It’s undeserving not to have the representative of the two bodies here today.”
Earlier, the administrative Secretary of ODSFA, Mr Ijeh Bekewei on behalf of the Agency and the State Government presented a cheque of undisclosed amount to the family of the deceased.
Responding on behalf the family, Princess Pat Osim thanked the Ondo State government and management of Sunshine Queens for living up to their words not to abandone the family of the deceased.
“We thank you very much, our sister did not die she only went to rest, we pray God to grant you safe journey home, may God protect all her team mates.” Osim said.
The funeral conductors, Pastor Joseph Omolaye and pastor Akintunde Akintoye from Living Faith Church, Tanke admonished friends and family at the ceremony to live an impactful live like Elizabeth Johnson Black did.
“Let people say good things about you as we are hearing from people about the deceased, It’s not how long you spent on earth but how you impact the life of people around you, she has finished her purpose in life, let us do good.”
Bishop (Dr) Onajite Darlington who is the elder sister of late Johnson’s husband said the deceased was a loving wife.
“I’m very sure her marriage to my brother was assigned by God Almighty, we never regretted knowing her”.
“She was going to renew her passport on Monday and she died on Saturday, all arrangement had be made for her to relocate abroad with her husband, God knows best, because we can’t query him..”
Her husband, Mr Otos Black who lives outside the country said in grief: “death where is thy sting, you took my better half, my sister, my friend and companion, we will meet at the bosom of our lord where death will part us no more.”
Also, an ex-international, Amarachi Kayode Emmanuel who plied her trade in Azerbaijan alongside Janded, said the goalkeeper was a woman everyone would like to associate with, given her cooless and calmless.
Her siblings, Aloko Stella, Olafimihan Grace Oluwatoyin, Pat Osim, Morounfolu Esther and Osunseyi Oluwafunlola Victoria all dropped emotional tribute as they bid their late loving-sister goodbye.
Johnson Black born in Kogi State, started her football career with Oladimeji Tigress in Kwara State, she joined Delta Queens in 2004 before moving to Baku, Azerbaijan in 2007.
She returned to Nigeria in 2010 and played for Bayelsa Queens for four years, she left the Yenegoa side for Sunshine Queens in 2014 where she plied her trade till she breathed her last.
Johnson Black had over 70 caps for Nigeria National team, Super Falcons and Falconets, featuring in the 2004 World Championship in Canada, Africa Cup of Nations/Olympic Games.
She won the Azerbaijani league, African Womens Nations Championships and Federation Cup with Sunshine Queens in 2015.
She is survived by her Delta born husband, mother, brothers and sisters.
ODSFA Management present at the burial ceremony also include; Director of Finance and Administration of the Agency (DFA), Mr Banji Kuroloja, Chief Internal Auditor, Mr Ajibade Eledumo, Sunshine Queens Team Manager, Mr Kehinde Odogun and others .
