Ex-Green Eagles Captain and Rangers International, Christian Chukwu, has described the death of teammate, Stanley Okoronkwo, as a sad loss.

Mr Chukwu said this on Tuesday during an interview in Enugu.

He said, “The death of Stanley is a sad loss; very painful and we will miss him.’’

Mr Chukwu said he and other club mates would sorely miss Okoronkwo.

Also, a staunch fan of Rangers International and a personal friend of the late Okoronkwo, Onyema Nwachukwu, described the ace midfield maestro as a gentleman both off and on the field of play.

He said, “He played clean hence he was nicknamed Stainless on the field and off the field.  He was a complete gentleman.’’

Also speaking, a former chairman of Rangers Supporters club in the 70s, Hyginus Ilonu, lamented the death of Okoronkwo.

According to him, the late Okoronkwo was his close friend, including his entire family.

He stated, “After playing football you cannot see any stain on his jersey. When he wanted to dribble he made it clean and he was always gentle off and in the pitch of the field.’’

Mr Ilonu described the late Okoronkwo as one of Rangers best players ever. Mr Okoronkwo joined Rangers International in 1974 and retired in 1979, after Rangers won the then African Cup Winners Cup in 1977.

The player died on Monday after a brief illness in Enugu.

(NAN)