Sports

Nigerian Player slumps die in Abuja

Published

4 years ago

June 7, 2022

Joel Ajayi

It was a shocker at the FIFA goal project pitch of Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday when a young Nigerian footballer whose name was simply given as Enesha collapsed and died on the way to the hospital.

The pitch is located within the headquarters of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Specifically, it’s situated about 50 meters away from the country’s football house.

The late player who was part of a club, Greenlight FC from Zaria, was taking part in a football scouting program organized by a popular football agent Babawo Mohammed.

As at the time the player slumped, no single medical equipment was available for use to resursited him before rushing him to a nearby medical facility.

“The player was among those inside the pitch playing before he slumped. Everybody within was shocked immediately after the incident happened. But to our greatest surprise, no single medical personnel was available to attend to him before he was rushed to the hospital. Eventually, he died on the way,”

Further investigation revealed that the organizers of the program hurriedly secured approval to use the pitch “verbally” a few days ago as against the procedural way of getting official approval.

The main organizer of the program, Babawo, couldn’t respond to calls and text messages put across to him.

However, upon hearing about the incident, NFF reportedly ordered any other football activity on the pitch to be suspended.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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