Tragedy: Nigerian Player, Martins Slumps, Dies During Match
- LMC condoles family, awaits autopsy
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Tragedy hit the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, March 8, 2020 when Nasarawa United player, Chieme Martins, passed away after collapsing on the field during his team’s clash against visiting Katsina United.
The medics failed to revive the player and he was eventually pronounced dead at a local hospital after losing consciousness mid-way into the match
Martins went down after a collision with an opposing player while the encounter was still goalless.
Unfortunately, the ambulance, stationed at the stadium, reportedly failed to start after Martins was rushed off the pitch, causing a delay in seeking medical treatment for the player, who was gasping for breath
According to Goal.com reports, he was later taken to hospital in a press vehicle, but medics failed to revive him and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
News of his passing filtered back through to the game, which finished 3-0 in Nasarawa’s favour, leaving his team-mates inconsolable as they learned of their tragic loss.
In his reaction, Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko said they were already looking forward to having an autopsy that would establish the cause of the player’s death.
“We commiserate with Nasarawa United and the immediate family of the late player,” said Dikko in a statement.
“It is hoped that the findings of the autopsy would inform subsequent measures, if any, that has not been addressed by the existing standard procedure.
“Furthermore, the LMC will keep engaging the club and the player’s immediate family to find the best way possible to offer support in this sad moment for the family and the Nigeria football family at large”, Dikko said
Sadly, Martins is not the only footballer to have suffered a tragic end while playing active football.
Nigerian professional football, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji collapsed and died of congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of a World Cup qualification match between the Super Eagles and Angola at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos State on August 12, 1989.
Born on May 19, 1964, Okwaraji, who featured for clubs like AS Roma of Italy, VfB Stuttgart of Germany and Dinamo Zagreb of former Yugoslavia among others, was also a qualified lawyer with masters in international law from the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.
Similarly, Ex-Lyon and West Ham midfielder, Marc Vivien Foe collapsed in the middle of Cameroon’s 2003 Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia, with coroners discovering that he suffered from a rare heart condition that increases the risk of sudden death during strenuous physical activity.
Also, Sevilla star Antonio Puerta suffered cardiac arrest during his side’s 2007-8 Liga opener against Getafe and carried on playing before collapsing again in the dressing room; he passed away three days later in hospital having been diagnosed with a similar heart condition to that of Foe.
Ex-Scotland international Phil O’Donnell, a fellow unwitting sufferer of the condition, passed away just months after Puerta in almost identical circumstances at the age of 35 while playing for Motherwell.
While the English FA and other national associations do screen for such defects, detecting the condition is extremely difficult as it tends to show few if any symptoms, particularly in young, physically fit athletes.
Some doctors believe screening to be ineffective and a waste of time, while others defend it as a necessary precaution even if the majority of cases cannot be predicted.
On his twitter handle, Shina Oludare captured the sad occurrence thus;
Shina Oludare
@sportingshina
AGONY! Nasarawa United players in tears after Chieme Martins was confirmed dead after Sunday’s NPFL clash vs Katsina United. Martins slumped following a collision, however, he gave up the ghost stranded as the Peugeot 406 ambulance stationed match venue did not start 😭🕯️😭😭🕯️ – With Goal.com
