Former trainees of the late grassroots football coach, Mba Onwukwe Uduma, popularly known as Coach Saachi, will reunite in Abia State on September 8 for a memorial match to honour his legacy.

The fixture, scheduled to take place at Cameroon Barracks, is being organised by the United Stars Old Boys, a group of players who were once under his tutelage. Among them is Emmanuel Emeka Onyemaize, who has been instrumental in coordinating the tribute alongside other members.

Coach Saachi, who died on July 8, 2025, was known for his commitment to youth football and his reputation for nurturing talent at the grassroots level. Many of his trainees advanced in the sport after passing through his guidance, with some establishing careers beyond local football.

Organisers say the memorial is intended not just as a farewell but as a reunion of the network he built over decades.

“The match is our way of saying thank you to a man who gave us direction, not only in football but in life,” Onyemaize said.

Saachi was widely respected for instilling discipline and providing mentorship that extended beyond the pitch. His influence shaped the lives of many young men who regarded him as both a coach and father figure. His death in July was described as a deep loss to the grassroots football community.

According to the United Stars Old Boys, the memorial event will highlight the bonds he created through football, while giving colleagues, former players, and fans the chance to pay their respects through the sport he devoted his life to.

The September 8 match will celebrate both his achievements and the community of players he left behind, reinforcing his legacy as a key figure in grassroots football development in Abia State.