Uche Okafor, MLS Soccer Player and Nigerian International, Dead At 43

Former Sporting Kansas City and Nigeria World Cup defender Uche Okafor died Thursday at his Dallas-area home.

Okafor, 43, was African football pundit for ESPN Soccernet Press Pass, the daily soccer analysis show. The humble and well-liked athlete played more than 119 times for Kansas City Wizards from 1996 to 2000, and made more than 30 appearances for Nigeria including one in the 1998 World Cup and being on the 1994 World Cup squad. One of his greatest achievements was playing an integral role in every match of the 1994 African Cup Of Nations which Nigeria won.

“We are deeply saddened by news of Uche Okafor’s death,” said an ESPN spokesperson. “He was well-respected for his insightful analysis on ESPN Soccernet Press Pass. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans.”

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday that he hanged himself in an upstairs hallway.

On behalf of Major League Soccer Talk, I’d like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Okafor, and to his colleagues at ESPN.