Football technocrats have been reacting over the death of former Green (Super) Eagles star player, Thompson Usiyan, with mixed feelings asking God to grant him eternal rest.
Usiyan, 65, ace footballer died in the wee hours of Tuesday August 31, 2021 in his Lamest, Redonda Beach home, California , United States of America (USA) and former Super Falcons of Nigeria Coach, Godwin Izilein said, “This is shocking news.”
Interestingly, Izilein revealed that he discovered Usiyan as a handler of the then Midwest Intermediate team, now Under-17 as a student of Hussey College in Warri, Delta State before he graduated to the senior national team – the Green Eagles.
“This is shocking news! Thompson Usiyan was my boy; then in Hussey College Warri, I saw him as a fine, talented footballer and I brought him into the Midwest Intermediate team – that’s the present U-17 in 1975.
“He was very troublesome, but a fantastic and skillful footballer; a naturally gifted footballer – his types are rare – he was a passionate player, he loved football.
“For his temperament, I have to introduce discipline into the academy’s curriculum then; may he rest in peace,” Izilein said.
Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles Coach who was Usiyan’s captain at the Green (Super) Eagles also expressed his heartfelt.
According to Chukwu, “Oh my God, again we have lost one of the nation’s great football personalities; he contributed well to making the national team of Nigeria a force to reckon with in our time in the Green Eagles; may his soul rest in peace.”
Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, who also coached the national team as Green Eagles and Super Eagles, also expressed shock.
Chief Onigbinde said, “Usiyan’s death is most unfortunate,” while he prayed, “May God compensate him for his contributions to the growth of football in Nigeria; Rest In Peace, Usiyan.”
Mr Peter Akakasiaka, a Nigerian golf legend and brother-in-law of Usiyan told SOKOnnect, “My sister has called me and she said the family will soon come out with an official statement.”
