Ex Rangers Unite, Sen. Umeh Hail Veterans As Isiadinso Goes Home
It was a nostalgic moment as former players of Rangers Intl FC of Enugu gathered in Obeagu Osili Village in Enugu Ukwu to pay last homage to one of their own, Christian Isiadinso, a former captain of the club on Wednesday.
The former Rangers greats played the symbolic last game match with their former colleague who did not respond to their passes and banter .
The brief display of football field activity evolved emotions and brought tears to the eyes of many among those where present.
Harrison Okagbue, former coach of Cranes of Uganda said Isiadinso was a cherished colleague and friend who played with them and travelled to places with them while alive.
“He was one of us, he played the game of football with us but he can no longer return our passes or talk back at us, we will miss him dearly,” he said.
Isiadinso was captain of Rangers between 1981 and 1984 and died on March 13 at the age of 64.
, Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Okoro, former chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Njikoka Chapter said the burial was another reminder of the transience and vanity of life.
Okoro who took his message from Rev. 20 12-15 said heaven and hell were real and that every man and woman would give account of their lives before God.
He prayed that God would admit the soul of Isiadinso in heaven while calling the living to live with the fear of God and service to humanity to make heaven.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Augustine Igweokolo, Chairman, Ex Rangers Intl FC players described Isiadinso as
unique man on and off the pitch of play.
Igweokolo said he was a spectacular midfielder and his opponents’ nightmare would be missed solely.
The pastor regretted that death was taking away legends of football in Southeast and called on the society and state governments to celebrate them while they were alive.
While commiserating with the family Isiadinso and Ex Rangers Intl FC club, Sen. Victor Umeh said the role of the lives of the Igbo nation could never be overemphasised.
Umeh who described himself as a personal friend of the deceased and supporter of Rangers said the people were proud of them and would ever cherish them for their contributions to Southeast.
“The death of Isiadinso is a great loss to us because he was part of the history, now that he is gone, we pray that he will make heaven and our prayer is that we will not die prematurely even though it is a call we will all answer
“So, I commiserate with you and pray you all live to fulfill your dreams and visions” he said.
Some of the veterans at be event were Chief JoeMartins Uzodike, Sylvanus Okpala popularly known as quicksilver, Victor Nwangwu, Arthur Ebunam, Harrison Okagbue, ex Cranes of Ugandan Coach, Ben Ugwu (Surugede) among others.
Also at the event were his schoolmates at Christ the King College, Onitsha, friends , family a
