A former international soccer player collapsed during a match and tragically passed away. Michael Enelamo, 40, won 10 caps for Nigeria during his professional career, scoring three goals, including one against Ireland in 2009. Unfortunately, the former Super Eagle passed away while playing in a local match in his home country.
He completed the entire first half, but suddenly collapsed five minutes into the second period, according to local media reports. After resuscitation attempts were made on the pitch, he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“This is devastating,” Mohamed Sanusi, general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, said in an official statement.
“There are no words at this time. We can only pray that God grants him eternal rest and gives his loved ones and the Nigerian football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
He is perhaps best remembered for his time in Turkey, where he was nicknamed Tank and represented clubs such as Besiktas, Istanbul Başaksehir and Sivasspor.
However, it was in Tunisia that Enelamo truly shone, scoring 51 goals in 86 league appearances for Esperance between 2004 and 2010. It was during this remarkable period that he became a peripheral figure in the Nigeria national team.
He played a key role in Nigeria’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers, scoring in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Tunisia.
The feat may have brought mixed emotions for Enelamo, who had considered switching his international allegiance to Tunisia before being called up to the Nigeria squad.
Enelamo retired from professional football in 2018, but maintained close ties to the sport by establishing a football academy in Kaduna.
Tributes flooded social media for the former star, with the Super Eagles posting a photo of him with the caption: “Rest in peace Michael.”
“Thank you for the memories and everything you brought to the club. You will remain in our hearts forever,” one supporter wrote. “He was a great player and above all a great man,” another added.
