A player of Nasarawa United, Chineme Martins, lost his life during a Nigeria premier league match Sunday against Katsina United.
The League Management Company (LMC) and Nasarawa United coach Bala Nkiyu confirmed the death of the player.
Martins slumped on his own in his team’s half of the pitch in the first half.
“He died before he could be taken to hospital,” said one eye witness at the Lafia Stadium, northcentral Nigeria.
The medical response to the emergency was slow, another eye witness added.
Nasarawa United won the game 3-0, but the players of the home team were inconsolable soon after they learnt their teammate had passed away.
Martins previously featured for another premier league side, FC Ifeanyiubah.
The Nigeria league has continued to suffer from inadequate security, contract breaches and poor medical standards.
