‘Chineme’s  death sad, shocking’

By Femi Atolagbe
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The Management of Nasarawa United Football Club has described the death of one of their players Martins Chineme who died while in action for the club as sadden and shocking.

In a release made available by the Nasarwa United Media Officer, Eche Amos, “Martins, a reliable central defender aged 23, had slumped without having contact with anyone in his own half towards the end of first-half in our Nigerian Professional Football League matchday 23 clash against Katsina United FC at our home ground in Lafia on Sunday, 8th March, 2020, which we eventually won 3-0.

“A combined team of medics immediately rushed to the field to resuscitate him before he was immediately taken to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, some few kilometres from the stadium, where he was pronounced dead.

Martins Chineme who hailed from Abia State, was a dependable, young, promising, great player who fought till the end and formed a pivotal part of Nasarawa United squad since he joined us three seasons ago from FC Abuja after his stint with FC Ifeanyi Ubah.”

The release stated further that, “as a Club, we are terrified by his untimely death. We have held a joint – meeting involving members of Late Martins’ immediate family led by his elder brother, Michael Chineme, the Management of Nasarawa United FC headed by Barr. Isaac Danladi, the Coaching Crew as well as Captains of our Club.

“Based on agreement between Late Martins’ family, the LMC  and Nasarawa United FC, an autopsy will be conducted to ascertain the remote cause of his death as the deceased player was duly certified medically fit for the season after passing through the medicals which was part of the conditions for his registration with the NPFL.”

However we wish to apologise onbehalf of the state Football Association to the LMC and the entire Football fraternity for the poor response of the medical Ambulance due to a developed mechanical fault.

We regret every inconvenience and embarrassment that such unforeseen development had caused to the league, our club image  and the entire  Football system.

Meanwhile the state Governor Engr. Abdulahi Sule in a meeting with the Management of the club after evaluation of the incident had promised a brand new well equipped ambulance for the Club as well as appointment of additional  medical personnel to the club’s medical team.

“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Late Martins Chineme, his team-mates, Coaches, loved ones, fans, the football family in Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole, and those who are emotionally and psychologically affected through this ugly incident.

“As a club, we wish to assure Late Martins’ family and the general public that we will not leave any stone unturned in order to accord him a befitting last respect and uphold his mission with Nasarawa United FC.

“For now, we wish to humbly request that the privacy of the Club and Martins’ family be respected. We will update the public on further developments,” the statement reads.