Nigerian footballer dies after collapsing during training session

Kwara United left-back Saka Azeez has been pronounced dead after he collapsed during a training session at the Kwara State Stadium on Friday morning.

According to the team’s head coach, John Obuh, Azeez collapsed without any contact and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Unconscious, Azeez was taken to the State General Hospital, which is just a few metres away from the stadium. The footballer was confirmed dead shortly after being admitted.

Azeez was the son of former Commonwealth table tennis champion Kasali Lasisi, who on Thursday received an award for his outstanding contribution to sports development in Nigeria.

An irreparable loss

The club’s media officer, Abdulwaheed Bibire, described the player as a complete professional on and off the pitch. According to him, Azeez had not reported feeling any physical issues.

'We are really in shock here because there was no prior complaint of pain from him. This was a young man who accompanied his father to an awards ceremony yesterday. In fact, when his father collected the award, he handed it over to him.

“Death is an inevitable end which every soul will experience, hence the need for his family, friends, close associates and soccer fans to take solace in God for this irreparable loss,” said Bibire.

The left-back joined Kwara United at the beginning of the current 2017-2018 season. He had only featured in one game.

Saka Azeez will be buried on Friday, according to the Islamic rites.