Onetime Super Eagles striker, Michael Eneramo, has died.
According to a report by SCORENigeria on Friday, Eneramo reportedly slumped and died while playing a football match in Kaduna State.
The 40-year-old was said to be featuring at the Angwan Yelwa pitch in the Television area of Kaduna when the incident occurred.
The former international came on as a substitute in the second half before collapsing without any contact.
A source, speaking with the outlet, said, “He slumped and died right on the spot. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.Related News
“He was pronounced dead at the hospital.”
Eneramo, who had retired from professional football, previously played for several clubs, including Besiktas of Turkey, Tunisian side Esperance, and Nigerian club Lobi Stars.
Before his death, he was said to be running a football academy.
Meanwhile, the official Super Eagles X handle mourned the former striker on Friday, posting his picture with the caption, “Rest in peace Michael.”
Nigerian Footballers that Died on the Pitch
Several Nigerian footballers have tragically died on the pitch or during training sessions, with the most famous instance being Samuel Okwaraji in 1989. These incidents often involved sudden cardiac arrest or undiagnosed heart conditions.
Samuel Okwaraji (1989): Perhaps the most iconic and tragic case. The 25-year-old midfielder collapsed in the 77th minute of a World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos. An autopsy revealed congestive heart failure linked to an enlarged heart.
Endurance Idahor (2010): The 25-year-old former Nigeria U-23 striker collapsed during a match for his Sudanese club, Al-Merrikh, and died in the ambulance.
Chineme Martins (2020): The Nasarawa United defender slumped during a league fixture against Katsina United. His death sparked significant controversy regarding the lack of adequate medical facilities at the stadium.
David Oniya (2015): David collapsed just three minutes into a friendly match in Malaysia while playing for T-Team FC. He was 30 years old.
Amir Angwe (1995): A striker for Julius Berger who collapsed during a semi-final of the African Cup Winners’ Cup against Maxaquene at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
Other Notable Cases
Emmanuel Ogoli (2010): The Ocean Boys defender collapsed during a league match against Niger Tornadoes and died later in the hospital.
Ado Hadi (2023): The 21-year-old playing for Spanish side CD Madridejos slumped for no apparent reason in the 39th minute of a match.
Chinonso Ihelwere Henry (2012): Collapsed during a friendly in Romania while playing for Delta Tulcea; heart failure was cited as the cause.
Bobsam Elejiko (2011): Died after collapsing during a match in Belgium while playing for K. Merksem SC.
Experts claim that of these deaths were attributed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), which can remain undiagnosed in elite athletes until a fatal event occurs.
