Professional soccer as a competitive sport has had its unfair share of tragedies over the years. It is both entertaining and dangerous, especially on the field of play. The Nigerian sports family witnessed one of the most horrific football tragedies on December 23, 2008, when nine amateur footballers and two coaches were left unrecognizable in a car accident on their way from Jos, Plateau State.

Tears of grief had barely dried when 15 members of an amateur team, FC Jimeta from Adamawa State, Nigeria, died in another car accident on January 26, 2009. Twelve of the dead were players, while the remaining three they were coaches. .

The tragedy that took place on January 26, 2009 had barely abated when another devastating incident occurred on February 21, 2009. In one fell swoop, 13 football fans of Ocean Boys FC of Yenegoa of the Nigerian Premier League were killed by people suspected of being a cultist, on their way to attend a major league game involving their team and Bayelsa United at the Ughelli Township Stadium in Delta State, Nigeria.

Nigerian footballers have also had their fair share of tragedies on and off the pitch. Below is a list of some of the players who have braved all odds to bring joy to football-loving Nigerians, but then succumbed to the cold hand of death.

  • samuel owaraji

Nigerian midfielder Samuel Tochukwuma Okwaraji collapsed and died on August 12, 1989 during a World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola. He died of a heart-related ailment.

  • Amir Angwe

Amir Angwe died on the pitch while playing for Julius Berger FC on October 29, 1995. It was later discovered that he had died of a heart attack.

  • Jorge Igenewari

The younger brother of former Nigerian international George Finidi was shot dead by rival supporters during an FA Cup match involving his club Rangers FC and Stationary Stores of Lagos in 1995.

  • tunde charity

He was a member of the Flying Eagles team that participated in the 1989 World Under-20 Championship held in Saudi Arabia. He died of a head injury sustained on the pitch while playing for Bendel Insurance FC in a league match in 1997.

  • Bonifacio Danjuma

This Plateau united player died on August 12, 2006 after he collapsed and was confirmed dead 13 minutes into the second half of his team’s tie with city rivals JUTH of Jos at Nassarawa Stadium, Keffi.

  • Adun Orobosa

He was the first choice goalkeeper for Warri Wolves FC of Warri Delta State. He collapsed and died on May 26, 2009 during training as a result of an injury sustained when he was attacked by thugs from Enugu Rangers International.