Tributes flow for fallen star Chinedu Udoji

The leadership and inspirational qualities of Chinedu Udoji have been extolled as tributes have continued to pour in for the fallen Kano Pillars star defender.

Udoji died Monday morning in a fatal car accident in Kano.

A minute’s silence was observed at the start of last night’s inaugural NFF/Aiteo Awards in Lagos and the NPFL have ordered clubs to do same for this weekend’s games.

Enyimba, who Udoji captained to several milestones, have also mourned him.

Words can in no way convey the depth of our pain nor the intensity of our anguish. What we can however do in this period of our sadness is to pray for God to strengthen the young family he leaves behind, the teammates he so passionately inspired and his friends and fans across the country.

“He was a ferocious captain and leader on the pitch but a warm and gentle friend off it.

“During his time in Aba, he won two league titles, two Federation Cups and reached the semi-final of the CAF Champions League.

“A legend worthy of the Enyimba captain band, he will remain in our hearts forever.”

“Udoji was a complete gentle man and a great leader on and off the pitch of play,” saluted Katsina United secretary Sani Tinau as several other NPFL clubs also hailed the late Udoji.

“I remembered congratulating him last season after he scored a powerful header against my team. May his soul rest in peace. All of us in the NPFL will miss him.

“May Almighty Allah grant his family, friends and fans the fortitude to bear this great loss.

“The prayers and thoughts of all of us at Katsina United will always be with Kano Pillars, family, friends and fans of Chinedu Udoji in this hard time.

Akwa United said: “Udoji was dedicated, focused, an ambassador and a great leader. His death is a big loss to Nigeria football and he will be missed by his coaches, colleagues and even the young ones that were looking up to him as role model.”

FIFA referee Aniete Udoh said goodbye to “my friend”.