admin

John Felagha, former Nigerian U17, U20 goalkeeper, has died. The death of the 26 years old goalkeeper was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

The NFF wrote: “Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died. Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal. He was aged 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Though he was on the bench throughout the tournament as Nigeria won silver behind Switzerland, Felagha was a member of the 2009 Golden Eaglets squad that played in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria.

The deceased was also part of 2013 FIFA U-20 World cup but failed to play a single match in the tournament.

He later joined the Belgian side KAC Eupen in 2013 where he managed a few competitive appearances for the Jupiter League side.

He was said to be waiting to airlift back to Nigeria on holidays before the unfortunate incident.

The death of Felagha is coming barely 24 hours after the NFF also lost the head of its ICT department, Tolulope Abe.

Mr. Abe according to a statement released by the NFF passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja as a result of complications that arose after surgery. He was 48.

The past weeks have been a tough one for the NFF as Abe’s demise itself is coming three months and 24 days after the death of a Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of the Nigeria National League, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, and one-month-and-fortnight after the death of Board Member of the Nigeria Women Football League, Henrietta Ukaigwe.

Tributes have been pouring in from all nooks and crannies; including from administrators, coaches, referees, league bodies and supporters of the game. 

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal coach, says winning the Community Shield could give the Gunners belief going into the next season.

Last season was a disappointment for Arsenal in the league, as they finished outside the European places. 

However, they ensured it ended on a high note by winning the FA Cup – thus qualifying for the Community Shield.

And four weeks after guiding Arsenal to victory in the FA Cup final, Arteta won another piece of silverware at Wembley.

“I’m so happy,” Arteta told BT Sport. “I knew the challenge we were facing today.

“Thank you to the players for the effort and the performance.

“The courage of the team [was the most pleasing thing], how aggressive we were without the ball and to break the pressure of Liverpool. I knew in the second half we would suffer.

“This generates belief, to be able to compete against a team like this in a final makes me happy.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved to be decisive again, scoring Arsenal’s opening goal and their winning penalty.

Arteta said Arsenal are “close” to agreeing to a new contract with their captain – who was once again reluctant to comment on his own future – after explaining how he stepped up to the mark against Liverpool.

“Big games, big moments, big players,” Arteta said of Aubameyang. “He has responded really well to that kind of pressure.

“He was magnificent in the FA Cup final and the same today.”

Aubameyang himself had admitted just before that it was an “exciting” time to be an Arsenal player.

“We’re going to see these days,” he said when asked if he would renew his contract. 

“Today we take the trophy, that’s it. “We are improving. There is still work to do but I’m really happy and it’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal player.”