According to a national daily, Punch newspapers, Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins died after slumping in their Nigeria Professional Football League tie against Katsina United in Lafia on Sunday.
An eyewitness, who was at the Lafia Township Stadium, said the late defender was standing alone when he slumped around the 45th minute of the game.
“His team had been awarded a free-kick and he was standing alone in their own half when he suddenly collapsed.
“Other players informed the referee and he was eventually rushed to the hospital in Lafia.
The League Management Company (LMC) organisers of the NPFL also confirmed the death of the defender.
“The League Management Company (LMC) has confirmed the report of the death of Chineme Martins, a defender with Nasarawa United FC, who slumped during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 23 against Katsina United in Lafia,” the LMC said in a statement on their website.
The LMC in their statement also called for a standard autopsy to establish the cause of the player’s death.
“It is hoped that the findings of the autopsy would inform subsequent measures if any that has not been addressed by the existing standard procedure”, the LMC said.
Several clips shared on Twitter have Martins teammates in tears as they mourn the shocking death of the defender.
“His team had been awarded a free-kick and he was standing alone in their own half when he suddenly collapsed.
“Other players informed the referee and he was eventually rushed to the hospital in Lafia.
Nasarawa United was leading 2-0 when the Nigerian defender slumped on the pitch. They went on to win 3-0.
Efforts made to resuscitate the player not helped by the old Ambulance that failed to start and needed five persons to push it according to several reports.
The defender was rushed to the Dalhatu- Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia where he was pronounced dead.
“We lost a player today against @fckatsinaunited A great professional and a gentleman,” Nasarawa United confirmed on Twitter.
The League Management Company also confirmed the dead in a statement.
“We commiserate with Nasarawa United and the immediate family of the late player,” LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko said.
Efforts made to resuscitate the player not helped by the old Ambulance that failed to start and needed five persons to push it according to several reports.
The defender was rushed to the Dalhatu- Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia where he was pronounced dead.
“We lost a player today against @fckatsinaunited A great professional and a gentleman,” Nasarawa United confirmed on Twitter.
The League Management Company also confirmed the dead in a statement.
“We commiserate with Nasarawa United and the immediate family of the late player,” LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko said.
The League Management Company (LMC) organisers of the NPFL also confirmed the death of the defender.
“The League Management Company (LMC) has confirmed the report of the death of Chineme Martins, a defender with Nasarawa United FC, who slumped during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 23 against Katsina United in Lafia,” the LMC said in a statement on their website.
The LMC in their statement also called for a standard autopsy to establish the cause of the player’s death.
“It is hoped that the findings of the autopsy would inform subsequent measures if any that has not been addressed by the existing standard procedure”, the LMC said.
Several clips shared on Twitter have Martins teammates in tears as they mourn the shocking death of the defender.
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