On September 18, 1994, a tragic event unfolded when a BAC-111 aircraft operated by Oriental Airlines, carrying 30 players and 10 officials of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club (now Heartland FC), crashed in Tamaransett, Southern Algeria. The team was returning to Nigeria after a 3-0 loss to Esperance of Tunisia in the first leg of the African Cup of Champions (now the CAF Champions League) quarterfinals.
The aircraft, owned by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the club’s proprietor, encountered unfavorable weather conditions due to the early morning fog over the Sahara Desert. This prompted an emergency landing attempt at the Agenat Airport in Tamanrasset, near the Algerian border with Niger. However, during the landing attempt, the aircraft collided with a pole, then a lorry, and eventually crashed into a fire station building after circling in the air for nearly three hours. The impact led to a massive explosion, causing the aircraft to be nearly destroyed.
Despite the devastating crash, 30 passengers survived, although some were seriously injured. Tragically, five people lost their lives, including two players.
Those Who Lost Their Lives
- Eghomwanre ‘Omale’ Aimanmwosa – Midfielder
- Uche Ikeogu – Goalkeeper
- Captain Amaechi – Pilot
- Captain Chinedu Ogbonna – Co-pilot
- Obiageli Ezeh – Air Stewardess
Survivors
Among the survivors were notable figures, including former Nigeria national team captain and coach Christian Chukwu, former National Sports Commission Director Dr. Steve Olarinoye, Bola Oyebode of the Nigeria Football Federation, and Chief Amanze Uchegbulam, former NFF 1st Vice President.
Other survivors included players like Aliyu Muzambilu, Mike Onyemechara, Mike Obi, and many others who sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Surviving Players
- Aliyu Muzambilu
- Mike Onyemechara – Team Captain
- Mike Obi
- Udeagha Agbarakwe
- Julius Akpele
- Tanko Saleh
- Obinna Obiaka
- Uche Agbo
- Tony Nwaigwe
- Ating Ating
- Mba Agbai
- Ibe Johnson
- Emeka Lucky
- Jimoh Okwudili
- James Enagwuna
- Yakubu Umar
Surviving Officials
- Christian Chukwu – Technical Adviser
- Alphonsus Dike – Coach
- Uche Ejimofor – Assistant Coach
- Amanze Uchegbulam – Chairman, Imo State FA
- Dr. Steve Olarinoye – National Sports Commission
- Bola Oyeyode
- Atu Mike
- Edo Aduba
- Olumide Akande – Sportslink Newspaper
- Banji Ola – Sporting Champion Newspaper
- Raymond Emiowele
- Jonathan Nyingida
- Uzoma Uzodike
- Caroline Nwosu
- George Iheanacho
- Edward Ezenwa
- Valentine Ogos
- Alhaji Abdullahi Matori – Leader of Delegation
A Lasting Memory
The crash that claimed the lives of these players left a deep mark on the football community and the nation. Once a powerhouse in African football, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, now Heartland FC, has struggled to regain its former glory. However, the memories of those lost in the tragic crash remain alive in the hearts of many.
