Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike has expressed shock at the demise of ex-international Ajuma Otache saying her death occurred at a time the country needed her services most.
Speaking exclusively to The Point, Ejidike said: “Coach Ajuma Otache’s death came to many soccer fans as a rude shock because nobody expected her to pass-on like that.
“She was committed to her coaching job with the Flamingoes and it was unfortunate that she died when the Nigeria Football Federation cum Nigerians needed her services most,” Ejidike said with a tinge of regret.
He however called on the Federal Government to immortalize the late star.
It could be recalled that recently the world football–governing body, FIFA, condoled with the Nigeria Football Federation over the death of former Nigerian international and ex – Flamingoes’ assistant coach.
The Point gathered that in a letter personally signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and addressed to the President of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick, he expressed “deepest sympathy on hearing of the news of the sudden passing of the former Nigeria women’s national team player Ajuma Ameh-Otache, one of Nigeria’s most successful women international.
“Throughout her career, she played for Nigeria at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and also won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations the same year in South Africa. She also played for The Super Falcons at the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja.
“On behalf of the members of the international football community, I should be grateful if you could extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. We would hope that, in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.”
