Sad! Nigerians mourn as late footballer’s widow, daughter arrive UK

Saburi

Grief has continued to trail the death of Nigerian footballer, Saburi Adeniji, popularly known as Ola, following revelations that his wife and young daughter arrived in the United Kingdom barely a day after he passed away.

Adeniji, a left winger for Kings Park Rangers Football Club of Sudbury, a non-league side competing in the Eastern Counties League Division One North, died on Friday morning after battling a severe brain stem injury.

The club confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday, noting that the 26-year-old footballer had fought to stay alive until arrangements were completed for his family to travel from Nigeria.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce our number 17 Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’ passed away yesterday morning.

“He fought so hard to still be here for when his family arrived. His wife and daughter, unfortunately, arrived this morning, a day late,” the club said.

The announcement triggered an outpouring of grief across social media, with Nigerians and members of the UK football community expressing heartbreak over the timing of his family’s arrival and the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a community update shared on X on Saturday, Influencer Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, who runs a Nigerians in the UK group, wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Saburi Olayinka Adeniji, who died yesterday following a severe brain stem injury.

“Sadly, his wife and daughter were unable to say their final goodbyes, as they only arrived in the UK today.”

He added that the family had expressed gratitude to donors who supported the GoFundMe campaign set up during Adeniji’s illness. Punch