Calabar – The late Super Eagles midfielder, Ene Okon, will receive posthumous red card during a match on May 13 as part of his burial rites.
The burial programme from the deceased family obtained by sports writers in Calabar on Sunday indicated that the deceased would be issued a symbolic red card during the match preceding his burial.
The match between Anantigha and the class of old Calabar Rovers from Akwa Ibom is expected to be handled by the Nigeria Referees Association at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
The Nigeria Football Federation had announced that the former Nigeria international player Ene died at the age of 47 years on March 15 after a brief illness.
Until his death, Ene was Head Coach of UniCem Rovers, formerly Calabar Rovers, where he was a distinguished, talented midfielder who got a call-up to Nigeria’s senior national male team.
In a condolence message, the Chairman, Cross River State Sports Commission, Orok Duke, stated that Ene died in active service.
He disclosed that Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River and the commission had condoled with the deceased family.
He also stated that the former Nigerian midfielder would be buried on May 13 at the Hawkins Cemetery, Calabar, after lying-in-state at the U. J. Esuene Stadium.
“Akpakan, as he was fondly called, will be remembered for his high sense of dedication to work and contribution to sports development and football in particular,’’ Duke stated.
According to the burial programme a condolence register for Ene will open on May 10 while the mourning house rites would kick-off on May 11 at 52 Odukpani Road in Essien Town, Calabar.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there will also be a tribute and a sing song night for Okon.(NAN)
