Breaking News: Another Nigerian football star is dead

Due to difficulties resulting from high blood pressure, the prolific forward passed away at the age of 38.
by Tunde Eludini November 12, 2024 Reading Time: one minute to read zero
The death of former youth international Gift Atulewa has sent yet another terrible message to the Nigerian football fraternity.

At the age of 38, the prolific forward passed away.

The Delta State Football Association spokesperson, Azuka Chiemeka, confirmed the heartbreaking news to PREMIUM TIMES.

Around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Atulewa passed away due to problems resulting from high blood pressure, according to Mr. Azuka.

This development might have been influenced by the fact that we recently buried the wife last month. He has been controlling his blood pressure problems, but the day before yesterday, things became worse and he was admitted to the hospital. They found that he had malaria, but other than that, his blood pressure continued to rise, and we lost him this morning at seven o’clock. PREMIUM TIMES was informed by the Delta State FA spokesperson.

“As we speak, there is an ex-international football tournament going on in Delta State and he is part of the ex Uwei where he comes from, he is part of their team, and he scored the first goal of the tournament from his wonderful free kick that he is known for,” Mr. Azuka said in reference to Atulewa’s recent involvement in football.

Furthermore, Atulewa had just returned from a coaching course in Cote d’Ivoire.

Regretfully, he will not be using the acquired certificate.

Atulewa is a gifted footballer who started out with Bayelsa United F.C. before joining Ocean Boys F.C. and then Warri Wolves F.C., where he made significant appearances.

He competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands as a member of the Nigerian U-20 team.

Unfortunately, Atulewa joins Olufemi Adebayo and Isaac Promise as the third member of the 2005 U-20 team to die.