Okeho, a community in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, was plunged into mourning on Wednesday night after a 27-year-old footballer, Oyekunle Baaki, popularly known as Smart, collapsed and died during an Eleniyan football competition.
Smart, a player with United FC Okeho, was participating in the match against Accurate FC, Iganna, when the incident occurred. The game had ended goalless after 90 minutes, and the players were playing extra time when Smart suddenly slumped.
Eyewitnesses revealed that before the match began, Smart took photos with some of his teammates and posted them on his social media account. However, during the extra time period, he became unwell and fell to the ground without anyone else around him. Despite efforts by fans to revive him, Smart was pronounced dead before he could be taken to the hospital.
Mourners in Okeho are still coming to terms with the sudden loss of the young footballer. Community youth leader Mufideen Dallax described Smart as a kind and resourceful person who had a promising future ahead of him. “He was a great soccer star with a lot of potential,” Dallax said. “His death is a huge loss not just for his family but for the entire community.”
Smart’s remains are set to be laid to rest on Thursday morning. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the football community in Okeho, and fans are still trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of a young life.
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