A Nigerian teenager has died on Sunday on the field of play in Ireland in the UK where he was famous for his football skills, and played for a North Dublin side, Belvedere Football Club.
Shetemi Ayetigbo(pictured), a midfielder for the U16 premier team was playing in a league match against rivals St Kevin’s Boys when tragedy struck at around 1.30pm. It was reported that the 16 year-old collapsed on the field of play, and despite desperate attempts to resuscitate him at the St Kevin’s Boys Football grounds on Shanowen Road, in Santry, he died at the scene.
According to The Irish Daily Mirror, “There was no incident, any attack. The young lad was playing, and he just dropped on the pitch.
“It was around 25 to 30 minutes into the game.
“A number of people rushed to his side straight away to give him first aid, as there was a defibrillator at the grounds.
“An ambulance came, and paramedics tried to treat him there. But he couldn’t be saved.
“They then took his body to the hospital. The match was cancelled. Everyone was in shock.
“The young players, staff, and supporters had never witnessed anything like that on a football pitch.
“There were a good few people watching the match because it was the last game of the season.”
It is understood Shetemi’s family was not present at the game.
Friends of the family accompanied the ambulance to Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His football club said in a statement on their page: “Belvedere Football Club is mourning the death of one of our U16 players who tragically collapsed while playing for the club [yesterday].
“While all of our members are in deep shock, our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time.
“We ask that the privacy of the family be respected as the club supports them in grieving their boy.”
The club confirmed it would support Shetemi’s fellow “U16 players, coaches and parents who are devastated at the loss of a very popular team-mate”.
Shetemi’s relatives were last night being comforted by close friends. It is believed that while the young man grew up in Fingal, his parents are originally from Nigeria.
Before playing for Belvedere FC, the teen had also been a member of his school team and once played for rivals Home Farm FC.
Source: The Irish Daily Mirror
