Emotions ran high among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora on Saturday following confirmation that the wife and young daughter of late footballer Saburi Adeniji arrived in the United Kingdom barely 24 hours after his death.
Adeniji, fondly called Ola, was a left winger for Kings Park Rangers FC of Sudbury, a non-league club competing in the Eastern Counties League Division One North.
The 26-year-old died on Friday after a prolonged battle with a severe brain stem injury.
In a statement announcing his passing, the club disclosed that the footballer had held on in critical condition while efforts were made to reunite him with his family from Nigeria.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our number 17, Saburi Adeniji ‘Ola’,” the club said.
“He fought bravely to remain alive until his family arrived. Sadly, his wife and daughter got here the following morning.”
The revelation sparked widespread grief online, with Nigerians describing the timing as heartbreaking and tragic.
A UK-based community figure, Benjamin Kuti, also known as Oluomo of Derby, confirmed the development in a post on X, noting that the family missed the chance to see Adeniji alive by a narrow margin.
He added that the widow had expressed deep appreciation to individuals who donated to a GoFundMe campaign organised during Adeniji’s illness to facilitate her travel and provide support for the family.
Tributes also poured in from friends and acquaintances of the late footballer. A childhood friend, Oke Samuel, described Adeniji as a devoted family man who left Nigeria with the sole aim of securing a better life for his loved ones.
“You chased hope, not fame. You lived for your family and gave your all,” he wrote, adding that Adeniji’s impact would not be forgotten.
Before his death, Kings Park Rangers had publicly announced Adeniji’s deteriorating condition and suspended all club activities in solidarity. The club also endorsed the fundraising campaign, revealing that the footballer had been admitted to intensive care at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, on January 15.
Medical updates later indicated that his condition worsened rapidly and that he was declared brain dead, prompting urgent efforts to bring his family to the UK.
As of the time of filing this report, the GoFundMe campaign had raised £16,469, nearly reaching its £17,000 target, with donations from hundreds of Nigerians across the world.
The club said proceeds from the fundraiser would be used to support Adeniji’s widow and ensure his daughter’s education, as tributes continue to trail the footballer’s untimely death.
