Former Nigerian footballer, Philip Osondu has died in Belgium after taking self to the hospital to be examined on Thursday.
According to report, he was said to have felt unwell at work and decided to visit the hospital where he subsequently died.
Osondu played regularly for the youth teams of Nigeria, but never reached the first team.
In 1987 he participated in the World U-16 tournament in Canada. Nigeria reached the final, but then lost on penalties to the Soviet Union.
He got the World Cup Golden Ball as best player of the tournament.
He was also a member of 1989 U-20 World Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia that won Silver, having reached the final and lost to Portugal by 2 goals to nothing (Photo below).
The 1989 U-20 squad is famed for Danman Miracle that took place at the quarter final stage when they bounced back from 4 goals down against the Soviet Union level scores within 25 minutes left of play time. They went on to defeat them at the penalty shootout to advance to the semi finals.
Philip Osondu is known by teammates and soccer followers as Zanza.
