A female footballer has died, while several others sustained injuries in a road accident involving players of the Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred while members of the academy were travelling from Ikenne, Ogun State, to Lagos for a league fixture.
Super Falcons assistant coach Ayisat Yusuf confirmed the tragedy in an emotional statement shared on Facebook.
Football academy loses player in crash
According to Yusuf, the players were heading to the Olympic Pitch in Sonya, Ijesha, Lagos, when the accident occurred.
She disclosed that one player died, while others sustained injuries requiring medical attention.
The team’s driver was also seriously affected.
“Sadly, we lost one of our beloved girls in this incident,” Yusuf said.
She explained that some injured players would require further medical examinations to determine the extent of their injuries.
Coach expresses grief over player’s death
Yusuf, a former Nigeria international, described the deceased footballer as an important member of the academy family.
She said the accident had left the players, coaches and management devastated.
The coach also extended condolences to the family of the deceased player and appealed for support for those recovering from their injuries.
She urged football stakeholders and members of the public to remember the victims and their families in their prayers.
Academy promises support for injured players
Yusuf assured that the academy would prioritise the welfare and recovery of the injured players and driver.
She added that further information would be provided as details became available.
The identity of the deceased player and the precise number of injured persons were not disclosed in the statement.
Yusuf previously represented Nigeria at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games before moving into coaching.
The tragic development has cast a shadow over the academy’s football activities.
