A 29-year-old player of Ilesa West Football Club, Adewale Adeyemi, tragically passed away on Thursday during a football match in Osogbo, Osun State.
The Osun Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement. She disclosed that Adeyemi slumped on the pitch during the third-place match of the Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup, held at Ataoja School of Science.
“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where a doctor later confirmed him dead,” Opalola said.
Coach Narrates Incident
The coach of Ilesa West Football Club, Adewale Awe, recounted the unfortunate event, revealing that Adeyemi showed no signs of illness before the match. He added that the deceased was excited about celebrating his birthday with his teammates after the game.
“Thursday was his birthday, and we had planned to celebrate it after the match. He ate on our way to Osogbo and didn’t complain of any sickness. The first half ended without any issues, but five minutes to the end of the match, he slumped on the pitch,” Awe said.
Efforts to revive him on the field proved unsuccessful, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Organizing Committee Reacts
Oladele Bamiji, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the memorial cup, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
“All efforts to rescue Adewale Adeyemi after he suddenly slumped on the pitch around the 84th minute of the match proved abortive,” Bamiji stated.
He extended condolences to the family of the deceased, describing Adeyemi as a passionate footballer whose contributions to sports and unity in Osun State will not be forgotten.