……Says ‘we paired together in 2016 when Enyimba beat Pillars in Kano’

Towering defender, Ike ThankGod, is yet to come to terms with the reality of the death of his former Enyimba teammate and captain, Chinedu Udoji.

Udoji died in a car crash after helping Kano Pillars secure a 1-1 draw against Enyimba at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, in a match day nine fixture of the 2017/2018 NPFL.

ThankGod partnered Udoji in the Enyimba back-line in 2016 when the People’s Elephant edged Kano Pillars 2-1 in Kano.

“I still find it difficult to believe (Chinedu) Udoji is dead”, ThankGod who later played for Sunshine Stars after spells at Warri Wolves and FC Fanja of Oman said.

“That Udoji is dead, just like that? It’s a piece of cake difficult to swallow”.

“I remember when we were together at Enyimba, that was in 2016.

“We were always seen as giants in Enyimba defence.

“He covered well for me each time I moved upfield, especially during corner kick or free kick situations.

“And I equally did so for him each time he overlapped. You could see the understanding between us.

“That year, 2016, we defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 right there in Kano, a result that would never have been predicted.

“Yes, I scored the winning goal and I can posthumously dedicate the goal to him.

“He was gentle, humble, full of humour and passionate. We will miss him greatly.

“How sad it is that two seasons after, Udoji died in same Kano”.

The 2009 CAF Champions League semi finalist would recall that the last match he played alongside Chinedu Udoji was a Federation Cup semi final game.

“It was against Nasarawa United in Ibadan but we lost 0-1”, ThankGod said.

The post Ike Thankgod recalls playing moments with Chinedu Udoji appeared first on Vanguard News.