President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has paid a condolence visit to the family of Chief Angus Nwoye, the Nigerian multi-millionaire businessman who slumped and died at the Stadium de la Paix in Bouake during the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday.
“We are terribly shocked at this unfortunate incident, but we cannot question God. I have heard from so many people how large-hearted the late Chief was, how he was a pillar to so many Nigerians here in Cote d’Ivoire and how passionate he was about the game of football.
“It is very painful for us as a Federation to have heard of so many deaths accompanying that particular football match. But God knows best. Many stakeholders have told me how they were with the late Chief in his house wining and dining on the eve of the match. Our hearts go to you and the family. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant yourself, the children, other members of the family and the friends he has left behind the fortitude to bear this big loss,” Gusau told the widow, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Nwoye at the family house in Abidjan on Saturday afternoon.
Responding, Dr. Nwoye thanked the NFF President and his team for the visit, while recollecting how her late husband had looked forward to the match and the post-match celebrations.
“He was so passionate about football. He would do anything for football; that was why he planned for us to be in Bouake for the match. He was so sure we would win that he said I should prepare for us to celebrate the victory after the match,” she sobbed as she was comforted by her son, Ifeanyi Nwoye and a family friend, Mr. Ikechukwu Asiegbu.
A friend of the deceased, Chief Ifeanyi Igbo said the family was still to come to terms with the sad departure of the late business mogul.
The NFF President was accompanied on the visit by the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Onwuchelu Michael Emeka, Mr. Davidson Ogbu (a businessman), Mr. Ademola Olajire (NFF Director of Communications) and Mr. Abubakar Barde (Special Assistant to the NFF President).
PHOTO 1: NFF President Gusau (middle) with Dr Nwoye (in dark glasses) and Mr. Emeka (second right) at late Chief Nwoye’s house in Abidjan on Saturday.
PHOTO 2: The NFF boss signs the condolence register at late Chief Nwoye’s house.
