NFF console Olubayo Adefemi's family

In a letter signed by 1st Vice President of the Federation, Chief Mike Umeh, the NFF mourned the passing of one of the aces in the re-building process embarked upon by   Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia prayed that Almighty God would grant the player eternal rest and also grant the family and his other loved ones the fortitude to bear the big loss.   "Olubayo was such a gentle, disciplined, dedicated and thoroughly committed Member of the Nigeria senior team, Super Eagles, and was a key element in the re-building plans of the new coach Samson Siasia.   "We mourn deeply about this sudden demise of one of the gems of Nigerian football, who had represented our dear country at both U-20 and U-23 levels, winning laurels all the way, and there is no gainsaying that as a wonderful football player and person, Olubayo was an embodiment of humility and discipline, as severally attested to by his Coaches at club and national levels.   "Our prayer is that the Almighty God will grant him eternal rest in His bosom, and also grant those he has left behind, as well as the Nigeria football fraternity, the fortitude to bear this huge loss", read the letter.   The NFF has also written to the Confederation of African Football, praying that a minute's silence be observed for the departed player in Thursday's African Youth Championship clash between Nigeria and Cameroon in Johannesburg. Olubayo Adefemi was a key member of the last Nigeria U-20 squad to win the African Youth Championship – in Benin Republic in 2005.   Meanwhile, Adefemi's manager, Miguel Riera told the NFF on Tuesday that he is still busy working on the papers that would enable hospital authorities to release the corpse of the player to him and also for the Greek authorities to allow the remains to be transported to Nigeria for burial.   "I am busy working on the papers but it could take a couple of days. I will keep you posted on everything that I am doing," Miguel said on Tuesday.