Tragedy nearly struck on Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan when a defender of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Sylvanus Promise Ebiaku passed out but was revived by medics and taken away in an ambulance for further treatments.
Ebiaku, who is the captain of Shooting Stars, had gone with a weeping tackle against a rampaging opponent but landed on his back head and passed out.
The sudden and unusual gesticulations of few players around the area attracted the referee’s attention to Ebiaku’s almost lifeless body.
Then, on the pitch were the combined medics who resuscitated him and got him to ‘come around’ before he was driven out in an ambulance for further medical attention.
Although, the game resumed afterwards, still the zeal and enthusiasm in the mammoth crowd mellowed and they had to defy the heavy rainfall immediately after the final whistle to visit the stadium’s medical center to satisfy their curiosity about the player.
Also, his team mates and officials of the club had to suspend their excitement about the result till after they set their eyes on Ebiaku who was already asking about the incident from the doctor.
He was, however, discharged around 8:00 pm to join his mates in the club’s hostel after he was fully certified fit.
Meanwhile, the game had started on a frenetic height with Shooting Stars attacking pair, Ajani Ibrahim and Abu Azeez probing for early goal hinging on smooth passes from Ayobami in the middle and Wasiu from right.
Although, Enyimba FC’s goalkeeper, Fatai Dauda was up and doing but he could not stop the sleek shot to his left by Adebayo Abayomi off a pass, to register the only goal of the balanced encounter.
The former league champions gave a good response but Shooting Stars’ resolute defence effectively checked their trio of Mfom Udoh, Ibenegu and Ibrahim Mustafa to make the return of Gbenga Ogunbote to Ibadan, a futile one.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
