A devastating road accident has claimed the life of a female player from the Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy. The incident occurred as the team was en route to a league match, traveling from Ikenne in Ogun State to Ijesha in Lagos State.

The accident took place while the academy's vehicle was on its way to the Olympic Pitch in Sanya, Ijesha, where they were scheduled to compete. Reports indicate that the crash resulted in the tragic death of one player at the scene, while several others, including the team’s driver, sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Ayisat Yusuf, the academy's founder and former assistant coach of the Super Falcons, expressed profound grief over the loss. In a heartfelt statement, she described the players as not just athletes but as family members, emphasizing the deep emotional impact of the tragedy. "As a family, this is a moment of immense pain for us. Beyond being members of a football team, these girls are our children, our family and a huge part of everything we have built together. Losing one of them is a pain that is difficult to put into words," she said.

The academy confirmed that some injured players are currently receiving urgent medical care, with ongoing assessments to determine the extent of their injuries. Yusuf appealed to the public for support, urging Nigerians and sports stakeholders to keep the injured players and the family of the deceased in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.

The Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy has extended its condolences to the bereaved family, acknowledging the profound loss felt by the entire academy community. They have also expressed gratitude to those who have reached out with support and have promised to provide updates on the condition of the injured players as they recover.

This tragic incident follows another recent road accident involving a Nigerian football team. On October 15, players from Crown FC were involved in a crash while traveling to a pre-season tournament, resulting in the death of their driver, Yinusa Popoola Amole, later that night due to severe injuries sustained in the accident.

As the football community mourns this latest loss, the Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy remains committed to supporting its members during this difficult period and is hopeful for the recovery of those injured in the crash.