A soccer star of yester-years, Chief Francis Obi Okoye is dead.[/b][b]
Chief Francis Obi Okoye known as “Iron Gate” of Nigeria represented the country at both national and international matches from 1958-1962 at the right full back position.
He was Captain/Coach of Aba XI known as “Aba Giant Killers” from 1952-1962, coach/player Nigeria Airways WAAC Football Club Ikeja Lagos, 1963-1966, and played for Eastern Region Selected XI from 1957-1959, and Christ the King School Aba, 1948-1951.
He was later employed at the Anambra State and Eastern Region Sports Council from 1966-1984; and was responsible for identifying and grooming many football stars from Igbo Land and was Chief football Coach in charge of Rangers International FC Enugu 1978, Nija Print FC 1980-1983, Morning Star FC Onitsha 1984-1987, Premier Breweries FC Onitsha 1988-1990, Asesa Warriors FC Enugu 1990-1991, Tracas Warriors FC Awka 1992-1993, Anambra State Junior Academicals 1980, Onitsha Red Devils 1970-1975, Abakaliki White Angels 1975-1976.
As a football coach, he was attached to professional football clubs in the UK in 1979, including Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Westham United FC and seven others.
He also obtained International Football Coaching Certificate (England) 1977, Advanced Football Coaching Diploma (Wales) 1979, Management Administration of Sports/Stadium (Cardiff) 1979, and received the full badge Coaching Licence England 1979-the highest coaching certification in the UK, and was relicensed in 1991.
He was NFA Match Commissioner from 1991-1995, was given the ODAFA Award for contributions to football in Onitsha, the NFA Bournvita Award for his contribution to Nigerian Football, and the Anambra state sports festival award for football coaching, few years ago.
According to the family, he died of cancer having battled the illness for seven years in USA and Nigeria at the age of 81 years at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital Nnewi on the afternoon of Tuesday 11th Oct.2016.
Francis Obi Okoye {uchendu}was born on 10 th Dec 1934 at Mbarakpaka Village ,Ihiala in Anambra State