Nigerians on Twitter mourn footballer who died in a road accident

Nigerians on social media are mourning a local football player who perished in an accident on Benin -Ole road, that many describe as a death trap.

Chiedu Eze who was a defender with Royal Hearts Football club, was an avid football lover who made many friends on social media.

His fans and followers shared messages of heartbreak and memories of his life, which prompted even those that didn’t know him to applaud his legacy.

Mr Chiedu Eze aka Dmitri Chivanov aka chivaneze has departed into the bosom of our Lord, God Almighty. His watch came to an end on the Benin -Ore road leaving his mum heartbroken and his friends distraught. May he Rest In Peace.

— Keneike (keneike) January 10, 2018

We would like to extend to TheRoyalsFC family our deepest and most sincere condolences and may the soul of chivaneze (a very vocal and passionate leader of the team) Rest In Peace.

Pictured Second from the right in the top row in both pictures.

Always a Lion to us pic.twitter.com/jRNQev6Ozm

— The SociaLiga (@TheSociaLiga) January 9, 2018

Dear Chiedu, the TL is united in grief. No party leanings, no football club affiliations, no ethnic barriers. North, South, Blue, Red, everyone in unison is grieving for you. You should be proud. This was what you lived for. It's your legacy in death. Adieu Dogo.

— Sam Hart (@hartng) January 9, 2018

Dear Chiedu,
I'm sorry I was upset with you before you left this world.
I thought I still had time…I was so sure I would call you soon, abuse you & we'd kiss and make up as usual.
I'm so so sorry. I forgot that Death is no respecter of persons and doesn't have shame. I'm sorry

— Amina Ebele (@DeliciousAmina) January 9, 2018

Goodnight chivaneze. You were one of the sharpest football minds I ever had conversations with. Can't even believe I have used past tense. Chiedu, you've gone too soon. But God is omniscient. May your soul rest in peace. :(

— Ifreke Inyang (Ifreke) January 9, 2018

I don't know Chiedu, but the tweets on my TL show he was a great Man.
My sincere condolence to every bereaved heart.

— President O.B Olorunmaye (@Seunmaiye) January 9, 2018

Don't know you
Never met you before,

But from what am seeing here today your life was well spent.

Your friends have well described you
You're celebrated!
Rest on Chiedu ……..?

— iBlog? (@Kashmeil) January 10, 2018

The Benin -Ole highway links Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos with eastern and southern states of the country.

Nigeria has one of the worst road accident records in Africa, with poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving conspiring to kill thousands every year.