Gift Atulewa dead. African footballers. The football world is mourning the loss of Gift Atulewa, a former Nigerian U-20 national team player and 2005 FIFA World Cup runner-up, who passed away at age 38 due to heart-related complications from high blood pressure. Atulewa, who played as a left winger, tragically lost his wife to illness just a month prior, adding to the sorrow surrounding his passing.
This sad news marks Atulewa as the third player from Nigeria’s 2005 U-20 team to die prematurely. In 2011, teammate Olufemi Adebayo died in a car accident in Greece at just 25 years old. Then in 2019, Isaac Promise, who won silver with Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, suffered a sudden illness while at the gym and passed away at 31.
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The Delta State Football Association (DSFA) confirmed Atulewa’s death and fondly remembered his recent contributions to their tournaments, including a memorable free-kick goal scored only three weeks prior. Atulewa had recently completed a coaching course in Ivory Coast, aiming to further his involvement in football. Upon his return, he was diagnosed with malaria, though local sources clarified this was not the cause of his passing. His health struggles were primarily linked to long-standing high blood pressure, which ultimately led to heart failure.
According to reports, Atulewa’s condition deteriorated on Monday, prompting him to be taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his cardiac issues. The loss of Atulewa, remembered for his talent and passion, has cast a shadow on Nigeria’s football community and the legacy of the 2005 World Cup team, leaving fans and former teammates reflecting on his contributions both on and off the field.