A former secretary and player of Rangers International Football Club, Chief JeoMartins Uzodike, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of ex-Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu, lamenting that the football legend died without a home. He also said players like Chukwu played the game of football for patriotism, and not money. Chukwu, also a former Super Eagles coach, passed away at the Niger Foundation Hospital in Enugu, at the age of 74. Reacting to the development in a statement on Saturday, Uzodike stated that in the short space of time, four Nigerian football stars had passed away, attributing their deaths to the lack of proper care and attention in their old age. According to him, Chukwu and the other players who died in such a short period shared a common trait – they played football in Nigeria with a sense of patriotism, not for material gain. He said, “Christian Chukwu was discovered at Nike Grammar School in Enugu and was brought in to play for Rangers. He later went on to coach the club and eventually became the captain of the Green Eagles. “He led the team to win Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations and also won the Cup as a coach. He spoke to some of us just three days ago, and little did we know that would be the last time we would hear from him. “He had been ill for some time, as many players from his era have also been, and this is largely due to the physical toll football took on them. “We have lost four of these legends in just one year: Christian Isiadinso, Kenneth Abana, Mecha, and now Chukwu. They are all going in quick succession. Emele also passed recently, and it’s evident that life is fleeting.” Uzodike, however, acknowledged the support that former players have received from successive administrations in Anambra State. He praised the initiative that began under ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi, who started paying monthly stipends to these players, regardless of their state of origin. He also pointed out that many of the older footballers played for the love of their country, not for financial gain, which is why they did not accumulate wealth or own homes. “Peter Obi initiated the stipend programme, paying N13,000 monthly. Governor Willie Obiano raised it to N15,000, and now Governor Chukwuma Soludo has further increased it to N100,000 per month. “They have all done their part, even though Christian Chukwu was not from Anambra State. He was from Obe in Enugu State. Mecha was from Abia State, and when he passed, Peter Obi bought land for his burial. What remains now is to build a house for him.” “Today, players earn millions of naira, but the players from Chukwu’s generation played for patriotism, not money. A prime example is the late Christian Nwokocha, who died without a house, and we had to build one for him in Nawfia, Anambra State. “This is the harsh reality for many former players, who are often forgotten for their contributions to the country. It’s truly sad,” Uzodike lamented.