The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has condoled with ex-international Segun Odegbami over the death of his son, Oluwagbeminiyi Odegbami.
Odegbami, who was the top scorer at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, said on Wednesday in a Facebook post that his son died last Friday.
In a statement on Thursday signed by the general secretary of NFF Mohammed Sanusi, the federation empathised with the 1980 AFCON Cup winner.
“The death of a son is perhaps the worst thing that can happen to any living parent. It is with a deep sense of sorrow that we commiserate with Dr. Olusegun Odegbami. This must be a very tough period for him,” the statement said.
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“I remember the passion with which our former captain traversed the whole of Cote d’Ivoire covering the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year, and his palpable passion and fervour any time he had the opportunity to speak with the Super Eagles’ players.
“He believed strongly in the team and wanted it to win the trophy. I know how disappointed he was that we lost in the final match.”
The NFF said the entire Nigerian football fraternity has been praying for the repose of the soul of Oluwagbeminiyi since the news broke.
“We are in grief. Dr. Odegbami is a great friend, apart from being a legend of the Nigeria game and a former captain of Nigeria,” the statement added.
“We pray that God gives him the fortitude to pull through these difficult moments and also grant the departed young man eternal rest.”
