F.G and Minister of Youth and Sports reacts to Chiejine’s Death

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of veteran national female football player, Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine.

In a statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams, Dare described the ex-international as a fearless heroine that threaded where few dared.

In a condolence letter signed to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the minister described her leadership qualities has one which is worth emulating by Nigerian youths. He also described her fierce determination to succeed in her chosen profession despite several challenges encountered.

Chiejine captained Nigeria to the inaugural FIFA U19 Women’s World Championship in Canada in 2002. She was also a part of the squad that won the African Women’s Championship that year.

Dare said: “Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine was taken from us too soon, her life was spent striving for excellence in sports. She was a heroine, who went where most only dream of.  She won first for herself and laurels for her dear country. Our youth must learn great lessons from her life that dreams can come true. Nigeria owes her a great debt of gratitude”

“On behalf of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, I wish to condole with the immediate and extended family of the deceased. I also extend my sympathies to her former teammates, coaches and colleagues, who may feel the irreparable loss of her demise. To the NFF, I say accept my sincere sympaties.

“May God grant her eternal rest and comfort her family and the entire Nigerian football fraternity,” the minister wrote.

Chiejine played for Nigeria women football league clubs like Pelican Stars, Flying Babes FC, Confluence Queens and FCT Queens. She also represented Nigeria at three FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and was the youngest player at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States