SOFOLUWE’s DEATH:Ex- Eagles Playmaker,Henry Nwosu seeks Federal Govt Support

By Our Sports Editor

Former  Green Eagles captain and playmaker Henry Nwosu popularly referred to as MON, a gold medalist at the 1980 African Cup of Nations hosted by Nigeria has expressed sadness over the death of his playmate at the senior national team Yisa Sofoluwe.

Henry Nwosu bared his feelings to EAGLE EYE WATCH in an exclusive interview. According to the former Ex-Senior national team captain who was instrumental to Nigeria’s silver medal at the 1988 African Cup of Nations in Morrocco where the country lost by a lone goal to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun courtesy of a controversial penalty awarded to Cameroun by the centre referee Idriss Sarr from Central Africa Republic.

In his words:”I was very sad when I heard of the death of my friend and playmate Yisa Sofoluwe from my colleagues Tajudeen Disu and Waheed Akanni. In fact I was depressed because Yisa was very close to me despite our not been in close proximity, we still relate but unfortunately he could not survive the battle over death even when I was told that he was recovering from coma. Yisa was a gentleman that everyone would want to be with,he has no dull moment even on the field of play you see him smiling.”

Reacting on the insinuation that Yisa Sofoluwe may have died of frustration due to neglect by the federal government over the welfare of ex-internationals.

“It may be true because most of us have been neglected by the federal government of Nigeria. In fact as I speak to you journalist, Iam not feeling fine but thanks be to God Almighty that has kept me”.

Nwosu was swift to advise the federal government through the Minister of Sports Sunday Dare to graduate from its intervention of assisting the families of late ex-internationals and focus on those that are living because it would help in creating a robust relationship between them and the federal government.

He further advised the federal government to assist ex-internationals at least with  a minimum of N200,00 monthly as it will  go a long way in reviving them which will also act as a motivation to them.

“I will advise the federal government to assist ex-internationals by giving them a monthly allowance of at least a minimum of two hundred thousand naira(N200,000) though I commend the Minister of sports Sunday Dare for his intervention towards the plight of families of some late ex-internationals.

Recall that another former Nigerian international Monday Odiaka has also slammed the Nigeria government for neglecting its ex-internationals.

Yisa Sofoluwe a former senior national team defender died in Lagos at the age of 53.