Michael Eneramo, a former Nigerian international footballer, died after collapsing during a local match in Nigeria, according to multiple reports. He was 40 years old. Eneramo collapsed five minutes into the second half of a local match, having completed the entire first half. Attempts were made to resuscitate him on the pitch before he was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, reports said.
Eneramo earned 10 caps for Nigeria and scored three goals, including one against Ireland in 2009, according to records. He played a key role in Nigeria's qualification for the 2010 World Cup, scoring in a 2-2 draw against Tunisia, reports said. He had previously considered switching his international allegiance to Tunisia before receiving a Nigerian call-up, according to reports.
This is devastating.
During his club career, Eneramo was nicknamed 'the Tank' in Turkey, where he played for Besiktas, Istanbul Basaksehir, and Sivasspor, according to reports. He scored 51 goals in 86 league appearances for Esperance in Tunisia between 2004 and 2010, reports said.
The Nigeria Football Federation issued an official statement expressing devastation, according to reports. Mohammed Sanusi, the federation's General Secretary, said the news was devastating and expressed condolences. Tributes were also posted on social media, including from the Super Eagles official account, which wrote: 'Rest in peace Michael.' Fans also paid tribute, with one writing: 'Thank you for the memories and for everything you brought to the club. You will remain forever in our hearts.' Another said: 'He was an immense player and above all a great man.'
I am short of words at this moment. I can only pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant his loved ones and the Nigeria football family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Eneramo retired from professional football in 2018 and later established a football academy in Kaduna, according to reports. The exact cause of death has not been confirmed, and it remains unclear which local match he was participating in or the name of the hospital where he was pronounced dead.