Okey Isima, a Nigerian defender who played club football for Enugu Rangers FC is dead.

Isima was part of the then Green Eagles of Nigeria that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations for the first time.

He died in an Abuja Hospital on Monday after a brief illness at the age of 56.

Okey also played for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

He was based in Atlanta, Georgia, for many years before relocating to Nigeria a few years ago.

Until his death, Okey served as a football scout helping aspiring footballers into clubs in Europe, North and South America.

He is survived by his wife and four children.