By Victor Kanayo
A fatal accident involving the travelling bus of a Nigerian club Heartland FC reportedly claimed the life of one of the club’s coaches, whose name was given as Christian Obi, on Friday.
Heritage Times HT gathered that the crash occurred around Imo state with the bus conveying the entire players and technical crew of Heartland to an ongoing pre-season tournament taking place in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, Southeast Nigeria.
Heartland FC, relegated tothe second tier of Nigeria’s National League are based in Owerri, Imo State capital.
Confirming the incident via a statement, the club management wrote, “the accident happened at Umunna close to Okigwe still within Imo State. The vehicle in its attempt to dodge an uncoming vehicle collided with another carelessly parked vehicle from another accident.
“Some players and officials sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital.”
Champions Progress
Meanwhile, reigning Nigeria Premier Football League Champions, Rangers International, have progressed to the second preliminary round of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.
This was as the Nigerian side got the better of Comoros Island champions, U.S Zilimadjou 3-1 on aggregate in a two-legged encounter decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Queens Show
In Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, comes an update that the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Champions, Edo Queens, have qualified for the 4th edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League following a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic side – Ainonvi FC.
The qualification is as the Queens won 2024 WAFU B Women’s Champions League tournament, a qualification series for a part of West Africa sub region.
Led by Moses Aduku, the Nigerian girls began their journey with 5-0 win over As Garde of Niger.
They later crushed Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana 3-0 and won their encounter with Omni Etincelle of Burkina Faso 1-0.
They met local side Inter D’Abijdan in the semi-final, winning 2-1 before making it to the final.
