By Jacob Ajom

Former Nigerian international, Ben Iroha is still confused over events surrounding the death of his former team mate, Uche Okafor  who died January 6, in the United States.

Iroha who said he returned from the USA only last Monday could not still believe the story which he broke to a website.
“I still don’t understand the circumstances surrounding my friend’s death,” Iroha told Sports Vanguard on phone. “Uche was a nice guy, he was funny and hard-working. He is also knowledgeable and smart.”

Iroha said the entire scenario was like a dream because Uche had told him of his imminent trip to Nigeria. “I was in the States from where I returned just last Monday. Although I was in the US for some weeks we could not meet, but we were talking everyday on phone. He told me he would be in Nigeria in two weeks,” Iroha said.

Reflecting on their active days as footballers, Iroha said, “I rate Uche very high. He was a great footballer. I first met Uche in 1983 School Sports Festival. He was around till Tunisia and USA ‘94.”

He said Uche was a funny pal and was always shared the same room with Alloy Agwu and Austin Eguavoen. “He would make us laugh and laugh with his rib-cracking jokes. We will all miss him.”

Uche was a member of the victorious Nigerian national football team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and represented Nigeria at the USA ‘94 FIFA World Cup where Nigeria was eliminated in the second round by Italy.

His club career saw him play at the defunct ACB football club of Lagos before going abroad to feature for Belgian club, KRC  Machelen.
He also played for Hannover 96 before ending his career at Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards.
He was also an analyst on African football for ESPN until his death.