The death of legendary former footballer, Arantes Do Nascimento, famously known as Pele has continued to elicit fond remarks and tributes around the world for the man widely regarded as the best footballer ever to play the beautiful game.
Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea, who is the official ambassador of Santos Futbol Club of Brazil to Nigeria, has joined the football world to pay his personal and special tribute to the late iconic player, who once led the all-conquering Santos Futbol Club to Nigeria during the Civil War, to play a friendly football match that momentarily stopped the bloody war.
In his special tribute, Ikpea, who doubles as National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, commiserates with the family, friends and relatives of late Pele, as well as, the good people of Brazil.
“King Pele, the iconic former footballer who made all of us fell in love with football, is gone, but his endearing legacies shall for ever remain evergreen in our minds.”
Ikpea recalled the fond memories the recent visit of Pele’s former team Santos FC evoked in the minds of Nigerians, who couldn’t stop reminiscing on the historic moments that happened during the times of the Nigerian civil war.
“Nigerians are happy to have witnessed late King Pele play football in our country, particularly, just as his presence in the Santos team, helped to put a momentary stop to the civil war, back then.
“In my personal capacity as the official Ambassador of Santos Futbol Club to Nigeria, I am making plans with the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to ensure that we immortalise and celebrate this great man,” Ikpea, said.
He went ahead to disclose that the NFSC, have opened a condolence register at its national headquarters in Surulere, Lagos, for members of the public to pay their respect to the late football icon. As well as, plans to lead a delegation of NFSC and interested members of the public to pay their last respect at the burial of Pele in Brazil.
