SUICIDE: 43-yrs-old UCHE OKAFOR, Nigerian International soccer star, hangs self near Dallas, Texas
Special to USAfricaonline.com
AP. January 7, 2011, Little Elm, Texas — Uche Okafor, a defender on two Nigerian World Cup teams and a stalwart player for the Kansas City Wizards in the U.S., committed suicide this week at his Dallas-area home, authorities said Friday. He was 43.
Okafor’s body was discovered Thursday afternoon by his wife in their house in Little Elm, a town about 30 miles northwest of Dallas, Detective Oscar Hinojosa said. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday that he hanged himself in an upstairs hallway.
A friend who could not reach Okafor called Ifeyinwa Okafor, the former star’s wife, police said.
“She was at work and she came home and found him,” Hinojosa said.
Okafor played on the 1994 Super Eagles team that won the African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria reached the second round of the World Cup that year and again in 1998, with Okafor on the team both times. He didn’t play in 1994 and played in one match in the first round in 1998, a 3-1 loss to Paraguay after they had beaten Spain and Bulgaria. He didn’t play in the second-round loss to Denmark
“We are totally shocked by the news. Uche Okafor was a great player who represented his country at the highest level,” said Musa Amadu, acting secretary general of the Nigerian Football Federation.
Okafor was with the Wizards from 1996 to 2000, playing in 119 regular-season games and seven Major League Soccer playoff games. His professional finale came on Oct. 15, 2000, when Kansas City beat the Chicago Fire for its only MLS Cup championship.
When Okafor retired before the 2001 season, he was one of only three Kansas City players to have competed every season since the Wizards’ inception in 1996, the team said.
“I’m terribly sad to hear of his passing,” said Ron Newman, Wizards manager from 1996 through 1999. “He was a big, strong guy, but he was very pleasant and I found him to be very professional. He was just an absolute gentleman.”
“I wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of him if I was playing against him,” he said. “He took no prisoners. But he was fair in everything he did; fair play and good guy. If he knocked you over, he’d pick you up and dust you down.”
Kerry Zavagnin, an assistant coach with Sporting Kansas City — the Wizards changed their name last year — played with Okafor during Kansas City’s championship season.
“I’m shocked and saddened,” he said. “He was a great teammate and most importantly, he was certainly a great man. This is a sad loss for all of us.”
Okafor had worked for ESPN the past two years, providing analysis of African soccer. His contract had been renewed last month.
“We are deeply saddened by news of Uche Okafor’s death,” the cable network said. “He was well-respected for his insightful analysis on ESPN Soccernet Press Pass. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans.”
it is sad he decided to end it this way. but that is selfish of him to take that decision.
igbos are mostly christains, jesus offers peace at all times, i pray that the family he left behind will embrace him for peace and comfort.
Eternal peace grant him oh Lord.
May everlasting light shine upon him!!!
I am beginning to think that education without God amounts to a life of misery. Yes, things could get so bad that one may want to hang himself but except where a "third party"occult power comes in could this be understandable and of course possible. For some one who knows that if God could give us humans His Son,JESUS CHRIST, there is NOTHING that he cannot do for us, I don't think this is possible. I wonder what could have made Uche to hang himself without considering the implications for him and his extended family, wife, children and friends. I wonder what could make him think there is no alternative or remedy to his problem. What could have made him feel he has a worst-case scenario and so can no longer face the world? I have only wondered since I heard of his death by suicide. I send my condolences,however, to his family and friends.
Sad, sad news. May his soul rest in peace.
Sad indeed! Sorry For his family
This is really sad. What could have been responsible? Only God knows. May His Soul Rest In Perfect Peace. AMEN
OMG i am speechless, i still cant understand this, what in the world would cause Uche to do this. HOGOSCO old students can anyone who knows Uche believe this? Pleasant, playfull and funny, what in the world, @ Hope i really cant understand why anyone would take this route. God help his people and may his sould rest is Peace.
Very sad…. still don't get why ppl take this route to end life… May his soul rest in peace!
A very sad situation.