Meet Ben Iyoha

Former Nigeria international defender Ben Iroha has told his colleagues to remain close to the late Uche Okafor’s family in the wake of the loss of their bread winner. Iroha, who played alongside Okafor in the Super Eagles squad of 1994, fondly referred to as the golden era of Nigerian football, told other members of that team who were present at the funeral on Thursday in Imo state that they should not abandon the wife and daughter of the late Nigerian hero. Iroha put it in perspective saying, “Well, it was unfortunate that Uche died prematurely as it were and understandably, there is nothing we can do that can equal his care and love for his family,” but that the family must not be forgotten. Jay Jay Okocha also urged the Nigerian government to fulfil its promises to the players who won the country’s last African trophy. “[Okafor] did not live to receive the house he was promised way back in 1994.This is very sad I must tell you. "The Federal Government and the football federation should realise that football is not a pensionable job. You don't receive any form of pension the moment you stop playing,” Okocha said at the funeral. The Nigeria Football Federation announced an endowment fund that will benefit Okafor’s daughter Lauren Tochukwu.

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