Panic gripped Yobe Desert Stars Football Club on Thursday as their players and officials narrowly escaped death in a road accident en route to Birnin Kebbi for a crucial league fixture. The crash, which occurred in Sokoto, left several team members with minor injuries and sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community.
According to reports from the club’s media team, the accident involved a mass transit bus that the team had hired due to their official team bus being out of order. The collision resulted in injuries to three club officials and several players, who were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and those affected have since been stabilized.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic moment as emergency responders and passersby helped evacuate the injured from the wreckage. While the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, sources suggest that poor road conditions and reckless driving may have contributed to the crash.
The club, in an official statement, called on fans to remain calm and offer prayers for the swift recovery of the injured players and officials. “We urge our supporters and all football lovers to keep the team in their prayers. We are grateful that the situation was not worse,” the statement read.
Efforts to reach club officials for further details were unsuccessful, but sources indicate that the team is making alternative travel arrangements to ensure they arrive safely for their scheduled match. The incident has once again raised concerns over the state of transportation for Nigerian football clubs, many of which struggle with inadequate funding and poor logistics.
Fans have taken to social media to express relief over the survival of the players while calling on authorities to provide better support for clubs facing transportation challenges. Some have also criticized the use of commercial transport services, urging the government and football associations to ensure that teams have reliable travel arrangements.
With the Yobe Desert Stars expected to resume league action soon, attention will now shift to the fitness of the affected players and how quickly they can recover. Meanwhile, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident continue, with authorities expected to release an official report in the coming days.
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