The Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy has confirmed the demise of certainly one of its gamers following a street accident involving members of the team whereas travelling to Lagos for a league fixture.
Several different gamers sustained accidents in the incident, whereas the team’s driver was additionally critically affected, in line with the academy’s founder and chief govt officer, Ayisat Yusuf.
In a press release, Ms Yusuf stated the team was travelling from Ikenne, Ogun State, to honour its league fixture on the Olympic Pitch, Sonya, Ijesha, Lagos State, when the accident occurred.
She didn’t disclose the id of the deceased participant or present particulars concerning the circumstances of the crash.
Describing the incident as a devastating loss, the previous Nigerian worldwide and Assistant Coach with the Super Falcons stated the academy had misplaced greater than a participant, stressing that the women had been members of 1 household.
“Beyond being members of a football team, these girls are our children, our family and a huge part of everything we have built together,” she stated.
“Losing one of them is a pain that is difficult to put into words, and our hearts are particularly heavy for the family of our departed girl.”
Ms Yusuf stated a few of the injured gamers required pressing medical consideration and additional investigations. She prolonged her condolences to the household of the deceased and appealed to the football group and the general public to assist the affected gamers and their households.
She additionally assured that the academy remained dedicated to the welfare and restoration of these injured, promising to supply additional updates as extra info grew to become accessible.
The tragedy provides to a troubling historical past of street accidents involving Nigerian football groups and sports activities contingents travelling for competitions.
Tales of demise
Barely two weeks in the past, on 15 October, Nigeria National League facet Crown FC had been additionally concerned in an accident on their strategy to attend a pre-season match.
While no gamers misplaced their lives on the scene, the membership’s 54-year-old official driver, Yinusa Popoola Amole (additionally known as Yinusa Olalomi), tragically succumbed to his extreme accidents later that evening.
In August 2024, Heartland FC head coach Christian Obi died from accidents sustained when the membership’s team bus crashed in Okigwe, Imo State, whereas travelling to a pre-season match in Ebonyi. Some gamers and officers had been additionally injured.
In October 2024, several Kano Pillars under-19 gamers and their driver sustained accidents when their team bus was concerned in an accident whereas travelling to Jos for a youth league fixture. No fatalities had been reported.
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Earlier, in March 2020, Rangers International striker Ifeanyi George and two teammates died in a street accident alongside the Benin-Ore Expressway whereas travelling to Lagos after the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
The incidents have repeatedly raised issues concerning the security of athletes and officers travelling by street to fulfil sporting commitments throughout the nation.
For the Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy, nevertheless, the fast precedence stays the restoration of the injured gamers and driver, in addition to supporting the household of the woman who misplaced her life.
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