{{short description|Nigerian footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Thompson Oliha | image = | caption = | fullname = Thompson Oliha | height = | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1968|10|04}} | birth_place = Benin City, Nigeria | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2013|06|30|1968|10|4}} | death_place = Ilorin, Nigeria | position = Midfielder | years1 = 1985–1987 | clubs1 = Bendel Insurance | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1988–1991 | clubs2 = Iwuanyanwu Nationale | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 1992–1994 | clubs3 = Africa Sports | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 1994–1995 | clubs4 = Maccabi Ironi Ashdod | caps4 = 21 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 1995–1996 | clubs5 = Antalyaspor | caps5 = 20 | goals5 = 4 | nationalyears1 = 1988–1994 | nationalteam1 = Nigeria | nationalcaps1 = 31 | nationalgoals1 = 2 }}
''' Thompson Oliha ''' (4 October 1968 – 30 June 2013) was a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs in Africa and Europe during an injury-shortened career.
==Club career== Oliha played for Bendel Insurance (1985–1987), Iwuanyanwu Nationale (1988–1991), Africa Sports (1992–1993), Maccabi Ironi Ashdod (1993–1994) and Antalyaspor (1994–1995).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Turkish Football Federation|title=THOMPSON OLİHA|url=http://www.tff.org.tr/Default.aspx?pageId=526&kisiID=26561|accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{NFT player|id=14806|accessdate=}}</ref> As a player, he was known for his powerful shots and abilities in the air. Oliha retired at the age of 27, as a result of a serious knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.champion-newspapers.com/sunday%20files/sports/article4.htm |publisher=Sunday Champion |title=Nigerians 're too impatient – Oliha |accessdate=2008-11-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925150118/http://www.champion-newspapers.com/sunday%20files/sports/article4.htm |archivedate=25 September 2008 }}</ref>
==International career== Oliha made a total of 31 appearances for the full Nigeria national team, scoring two goals. He made his international debut in 1988, in a game against Cameroon and made his last appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as a late substitute against Italy.<ref>{{FIFA player|93860|Thompson Oliha}}</ref>
Oliha also played at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
==Death== Oliha died due to complications from malaria on 30 June 2013. At the time of his death he was an assistant coach for the Kwara Football Academy.<ref>[http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/130630/Thompson_Oliha_is_dead Thompson Oliha is dead] - Supersport.com</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{NFT player|14806}}
{{Navboxes | title = Nigeria squads | bg = #008751 | fg = white | bordercolor = #00703C | list1 = {{Nigeria squad 1988 African Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 1990 African Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 1992 African Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 1994 African Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliha, Thompson}} Category:1968 births Category:2013 deaths Category:Footballers from Benin City Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Nigerian men's footballers Category:Nigeria men's under-20 international footballers Category:Nigeria men's international footballers Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players Category:1990 African Cup of Nations players Category:1992 African Cup of Nations players Category:1994 African Cup of Nations players Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players Category:Bendel Insurance F.C. players Category:Heartland F.C. players Category:Africa Sports d'Abidjan players Category:Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. players Category:Antalyaspor footballers Category:Süper Lig players Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Ivory Coast Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Ivory Coast Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Israel Category:Deaths from malaria Category:20th-century Nigerian sportsmen
{{Nigeria-footy-midfielder-stub}}