Ex-Super Falcons coach, Mabo mourns Chiejiene

Harry Awurumibe

Former Head Coach of Nigeria senior women’s football team, Super Falcon, Alhaji Ismaila Mabo has described the death of ex- international, Ifeanyichukwu Stephanie Chiejine as a big loss not only to the country but to the rest of Africa.

The news of the death of the former youth and senior teams’ player was broken on Thursday although family sources revealed that the utility player gave up the ghost on Wednesday, August 21 in Lagos after a brief illness.

But Mabo who gave Chiejine her first opportunity to play for the Super Falcons at USA 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final lamented the demise of the effervescent and skilful attacking midfielder, adding that her death at this young age is a big blow to the football fraternity.

“Chiejine’s death at this time is a huge shock. Nobody heard that she was sick before the sad news was broken. She was very talented. Indeed, Ifeanyi was one of the most naturally gifted players to have played for the Super Falcons.

According the Mabo, “She gave her best to her country each time she represented Nigeria. She is one of those who gave one hundred percent performance in the national colours. Those of us who know her will always remember her as a bundle of skill and energy.

The veteran coach therefore expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the player, the women’s football and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the death of the talented player.

Born in Lagos in May 17, 1983, Chiejine like most of the girls in that era started their football on the street before she joined Pepsi Football Academy from where she was picked by national team selectors to fight for a place in the FIFA Women’s Cup USA 1999 squad. She was registered as the youngest player to play in the senior competition by FIFA.

The 36 –year old later captained the first set of the Falconets that featured at the inaugural edition of the FIFA U19 Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2002. The competition would be renamed FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup six years later.

Late Chiejine  alsofeatured for the Super Falcons at three FIFA World Cup finals namely USA 2003 and China 2007; the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games; four Women Africa Cup of Nations finals-South Africa 2000, Nigeria 2002, Nigeria 2006 and Equatorial Guinea 2008 as well as in the women’s football tournament of the 9^th All-Africa Games in Algiers in 2007.

She played professional football both at home and overseas with her recent foreign clubs being SSVSM-Kairat Almaty in the Kazakhstani Championship; FC Indiana in USAW-League;Mkmf Kuopio; PK-35 Vantaa in Finland and Zvezda Perm in Russia.