Kofi Nti, a former professional soccer player with the Richmond Kickers and a popular and respected coach in the club’s youth program, died Sunday at age 40, a Kickers official confirmed Monday.
Rob Ukrop, the president of the board of directors of the Richmond Kickers , said Mr. Nti collapsed while attending Sunday morning worship services.
Ukrop said he had been told that emergency first aid was attempted but was unsuccessful.
The Kickers were not aware of a cause of death. The name of the Mr. Nti’s church was not immediately available.
Members of the Kickers’ front office and families affiliated with the club’s youth program were stunned.
Mr. Nti was three weeks past his 40th birthday at the time of his death.
“I can’t begin to count the number of (emails and text messages) I’ve received” since Sunday night, Ukrop said.
“Most of them say the same thing: ‘No — I don’t believe it.’ That gives you a pretty good idea of how much he meant to our program.”
Mr. Nti, a native of Accra, Ghana, played for the Kickers as a midfielder in 2005 and 2006. He appeared in 18 matches and, in 2006, helped the Kickers win USL-2 regular season and postseason championships.
But his most profound impact came as a youth coach.
Ukrop said Mr. Nti seemed to be involved “all day, every day” in some aspect of the Kickers’ youth program.
Mr. Nti served as a Kickers youth coach for more than a decade. At the time of his death, he was working with three teams: two for boys age 12 and younger and one for boys age 13 and younger.
“He had such an impact — not only on the kids, but on their families, too,” Ukrop said. “You couldn’t help but like him. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. And there was always an air of energy and enthusiasm about him.”
Mr. Nti was a capable player. He led the University of Ghana to two University League championships and one West African University Games title. But Ukrop said Mr. Nti’s greatest asset as a coach was his ability to make the game enjoyable.
“He truly loved interacting with the kids,” Ukrop said. “He was never afraid to laugh and have fun while coaching. Some coaches are there just to coach. He cared more about developing the child as a person than as a soccer player.”
At day’s end, Ukrop said, “you could always count on him to find a way to check both boxes.”
Mr. Nti has no immediate family in the United States. His mother lives in Ghana. His father died less than a year ago — a hard blow, say those who knew him.
Efforts are under way to raise money to transport Mr. Nti’s remains to Ghana for burial. Another former Kickers player from Ghana, Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi, has created a GoFundMe page for that purpose. The page includes a tribute posted by Adu-Gyamfi:
“He listened, encouraged, developed, supported and challenged without judgment. He was one of a kind.”
Kickers general manager Shelley Sowers said the club intends to formally salute Mr. Nti at halftime of the April 8 home match against Louisville City FC.
A memorial service will take place Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Commonwealth Chapel South Campus, 3505 Old Hundred Road South in Midlothian.
Guests are invited to wear red, the primary color of Mr. Nti’s favorite teams — the Kickers and Premier League club Manchester United.