Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Golders/@AAjigheye
This is the moment football players in Nigeria’s Premier League can be seen lying on the turf in floods of tears after one of their teammates collapsed on the pitch and was later pronounced dead.
Nasarawa United striker Martins Chieme, 22, reportedly collapsed after colliding with a Katsina United player on Sunday in the match played at Lafia Township Stadium in Nigeria’s Nasarawa State in the top flight Nigerian Professional Football League.
Local media report doctors from both clubs were unable to resuscitate him and he was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead in the facility.
In the video, Nasarawa united players can be seen in floods of tears after being informed of Chieme’s tragic death.
Shehu Dikko, the President of the League Management Corporation (LMC), the organiser of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), said he was awaiting the results of the autopsy which will establish the cause of the player’s death.
He added: “In addition, the society will continue to work with the club and the player’s family to find the best possible way to provide support to the family and Nigerian football at this sad time.”
Local media report the pitchside ambulance did not start when needed and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) along with the Ministry of Sports have then decided to restrict Nigerian premier league football matches because of this.
In a statement, they said: “The NFF has in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports engaged the LMC and reviewed the situation. As an immediate first step, the NFF has directed that no further match be played except when there is a full complement of the medical equipment and personnel as provided in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations.
“All Match Commissioners and the host FA are to ensure they inspect all the facilities including carrying out test runs before giving the go-ahead for any match to be played.”
The results of the autopsy have not yet been revealed.
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