Sunshine Stars Inah Ofem (L) tussles with Waleed Ebid of Al Ahly
The Nigeria Football Federation has condoled Vanguard Media Limited over the death on Saturday night of ace photojournalist, Sylva Eleanya.
NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, who worked with the respected photojournalist for almost 10 years at Vanguard, was visibly distressed: “The NFF is in grief over the death of Mr. Eleanya. A big tree has fallen. He was one of the very best in the photo sector.
“We remember that Sylva Eleanya was always present at major events, and did his job creditably and professionally. He was a prominent face in Calabar just a week earlier when the Super Eagles defeated Liberia to qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.”
NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, said: “We send our most sincere condolences to the immediate family of Mr. Eleanya, Vanguard Media Limited and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter. He was a jolly good fellow and will be missed by all at the NFF and the entire Nigeria football family.”
Meanwhile, the football body has praised Nigeria’s flag-bearers in this year’s CAF Champions League competition, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure for giving a credible account of itself in the competition.
The second leg in Cairo was always going to be a tough turf for Sunshine Stars after the two teams battled to a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Ijebu-Ode a fortnight ago, and in the event, the Nigerians lost 0-1 on Sunday to bow out of the competition as Ahly reached the final.
Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama said: “We must commend Sunshine Stars FC for the efforts it invested in the competition and also commend the Ondo State government for the support they gave the team.
“The same Club got to the semi final of the CAF Confederation Cup last year and in its very first appearance in the CAF Champions League, was able to reach the semi final. This is no mean feat.
“Surely, the team could have done better in the first leg against Ahly if not for the strike action embarked upon by the players before that match. We believe that with the experience the team has gained on the road, it will be better equipped next time to go all the way in any continental campaign.”