OBITUARY
Swindon FC pay glowing tributes to Titus Okere, last survivor of Nigeria’s 1949 UK Tourists
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The remains of Titus Okere, the last of the 18 UK Tourists players has been laid to rest at the Bluebell Hill crematorium in Kent, in United Kingdom. According to his granddaughter, Frances Okere, “it was a lovely service. Swindon Town paid tribute to him and sent him a tie.”
Swindon Town FC was the first club that Okere played for when he joined in February 1953 as Nigeria’s first player to sign a professional football contract.
Frances also informed that: “My Nigerian family mentioned my grandad played a friendly against Brazil and there’s some video footage of it.”
Tribute by Swindon Town FC
A customized tie sent to Titus Okere family by Swindon Town FC
The high point of the funeral was the tribute paid by Swindon Town FC. It runs thus:
“Although he only made a few first-team appearances for Swindon Town. he was held in the highest regard by supporters and colleagues of the club alike.
“He had come to the club’s attention when he toured England with the Nigerian international team An outside left, he was nicknamed “the golden boy- because of his ability to create chances out of nothing.
“The credit for signing him for Swindon must go to Mr Louis Page. the manager. He was obviously keen to sign him as in January, two Board Meetings received reports on whether or not he would arrive by January 20th before he managed to get to this country and sign on in February as a twenty-five-year-old.
“It was typical of his sunny personality that he never complained about. not always being given a first-team chance. Swindon had a notoriously heavy pitch and it would have been impossible to wear the light footwear that he had worn playing for the Nigerian national team playing on it.
“One wonders if the light, flexible boots of today had been around. he might have been able to adapt in a way that the high, stiff leather boots worn at the time prevented.
“It is sad to report that a television company had asked for permission to be allowed to film Titus making a demonstration of how to play in bare feet, but the request was refused.
“Evidently, the Board, if not the manager, were adamant about not having a player not wearing conventional footwear.
“Another thing that may have affected his performance was the absence of his wife. He requested but was refused help in enabling his wife to come over to England. The Minute on this matter was to the effect that Titus would have to prove himself on the pitch first.
“One wonders if had the request been granted, he might have felt more wanted and been willing to accept that he could make a home for his family in this country and that it would be worthwhile to have to get used to wearing football boots.
“Despite only being a few months, he was on Swindon’s books: those who saw him in the reserves talk of a very quick and elusive winger who frequently got the better of his full-back but whose centres were not always capitalised on.
“Sadly, it was not enough to convince the directors to retain his services, and he was released on a free transfer on the April retained and released list.
“His appearances in the Swindon reserve team evidently impressed somebody in the Chippenham United camp.
“On leaving Swindon, he was recruited by Chippanharn United, where he made an immediate impact providing a first-minute cross in the opening game of the season that led to a goal. He was also to play in the F.A Cup for Chippenham later in the season.
“At the time of his passing, he was the oldest Swindon player to have played for his country, and although the number of people who saw him play is dwindling, the year of his passing has also seen the launch of a Swindon Town Football Museum, which will ensure his memory as a great
Ambassador for his country and skillful player is kept alive.”
The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed tremendous shock and deep sadness over the death on Friday of former President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Otunba Tade Azeez.
Otunba Azeez was reported to have given up the ghost at about 2.45 pm on Friday, 25th April 2025, after a brief illness.
A nonplussed General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, could not easily comprehend when first notified of the demise of Otunba Azeez, who was also Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association during the tenure of former NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi.
“What? Are you serious? This is shocking; we didn’t even know that he was sick. Another big loss to the Nigerian football fraternity. Only a few days ago, we were mourning the death of former FIFA referee Bosede Momoh. This is devastating.
“There is nothing we can do other than to remember, with fond memories, his great contributions to the development of Nigerian football, which he did with utmost dedication, discipline, diligence and commitment. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant all those he has left behind, including friends, family, the refereeing community and the football family, the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Kind, friendly, vibrant, dignified and gifted with people, the 63-year-old was an eminent stakeholder in Nigerian football, and continued to contribute immensely to the game even after leaving office as NRA President, by accepting to be chairman of the top-of-the-range off-season football tournament, ValueJet Cup competition.
Azeez was a top referee in his days before retirement, and then became the leader of the Referees’ body, during which he midwifed transformative programmes that have firmly positioned the NRA to meet up with the demands of the technological era.
He was also in the thick of things during the remarkable Seyi Akinwunmi era in the Lagos State Football Association, which positively re-defined football development, improvement and sustainability in the State.
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South African footballer Sinamandla Zondi died on Tuesday after collapsing in the warm-up before a second-tier match, his club Durban City said.
The 22-year-old was taken to the hospital ahead of Durban’s game against Milford FC, and the match was abandoned at halftime when officials were told Zondi had died.
The cause of death was still to be determined.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi, aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family,” the club said in a statement.
“Sinamandla was more than a talented footballer, He was a teammate, a friend, a brother, a son and an inspiration to all who knew him.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone affected by this tragic loss. We will continue to support those close to him during this difficult time.”
The defender made his professional debut in September 2021 and had been a regular for his club this season as they sit top of the standings and are on course for promotion to the top flight of South African football.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation has condoled with the FCT Referee Council and the entire refereeing fraternity in Nigeria over the death on Monday, 21st April 2025, of a former FIFA Assistant Referee, Bosede Momoh.
Momoh was said to have passed away at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.
General Secretary of NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, expressed “very deep sorrow” over the passing of the former arbiter, describing her as a “gentle but firm and conscientious referee” who endeared herself to all with her amiable manners, dedication to the cause, fairness and utmost discipline.
“Late Bosede Momoh was kind-hearted and of good character, yet firm and diligent in her duties. The NFF and the entire Nigerian football fraternity will miss her, as she was still contributing meaningfully to the game even after her retirement as a FIFA referee. She was a National Physical Fitness instructor and also an assessor with the Nigerian Premier Football League.
“She left a good name, and we pray that the Almighty will grant her eternal rest, and also grant her friends, family and other loved ones, and the refereeing fraternity, the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
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