By Adeyinka Adeniran
Tragedy struck on the field of play when a young footballer, identified as Oyekunle Baaki, known to fans and teammates as Smart, on Wednesday night collapsed and died during a local tournament.
Baaki, 27, was playing for United FC Okeho in the Eleniyan football competition against Accurate FC, Iganna in Okeho, Kajola local government Area, Oyo State, when the tragic incident happened.
The incident was said to have occurred during extra time of the match after the initial 90 minutes ended goalless without any winner.
It was gathered that the young footballer was pronounced dead shortly after efforts to revive him proved abortive.
According to one of the fans who witnessed the sad incident, the player showed no sign of ill health before the incident happened.
“Before the match commenced, he snapped with some of the players and uploaded them on his Snapchat.
“He was alone, nobody was with him, he just slumped, and people rushed to help him, but he died before they got to the hospital”, the fan said.
A community youth leader in Okeho, Mufideen Dallax said, “his death was shocking, I knew him to be a kind and resourceful person”.
