Victor Osimhen, star striker of the Super Eagles, has publicly expressed his condolences and shared his deep shock following the fatal car crash involving heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in Nigeria, which tragically claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
The incident, which occurred earlier this week, saw Joshua injured while the vehicle carrying him and his companions collided with a stationary truck. Both Ghami, Joshua’s long-time friend, and Latif, his personal trainer, died instantly, sending shockwaves through the sporting community both in Nigeria and globally.
Osimhen leads tributes from Nigerian camp
Speaking during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, Osimhen described the incident as “deeply devastating,” highlighting Joshua’s contribution to Nigeria’s global sporting reputation. “It’s devastating news,” Osimhen told The Athletic. “He’s been one of the huge celebrities that put Nigeria on the map. He’s done it for so many years. Something like this affected a lot of Nigerians. Condolences to the families of the deceased. It’s not a beautiful thing to lose a life.”
The Super Eagles forward further noted the emotional impact of the tragedy, emphasizing that Joshua has been a source of pride for Nigerians worldwide and has inspired countless young athletes in the country through his achievements in the boxing ring.
Recall that Joshua was assisted from the wreckage and transported to a nearby hospital, where he is being treated for minor injuries. Matchroom, Joshua’s promoters, confirmed that the 36-year-old boxer remains in a stable condition and is under observation while receiving medical care to monitor any post-accident complications.
Super Eagles players echo sympathy
Other members of the Nigerian national team have also expressed sorrow over the tragic event. Midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel described the accident as deeply tragic, stressing the emotional weight of such an incident occurring on home soil. Meanwhile, defensive stalwart Wilfred Ndidi noted that the news cast a sombre mood over the squad. “It was really sad,” Ndidi commented. “I hope he can recover from that. I wish him strength, and to the families of those who died as well.”
[/p]The expressions of sympathy reflect the close ties between Nigeria’s footballers and Joshua, who remains a prominent figure in Nigerian sport and an inspiration to athletes across disciplines, reinforcing the shared sense of loss felt by the nation’s sporting community.
AFCON focus amid sombre backdrop
Despite the sombre atmosphere surrounding the camp, the Super Eagles have continued to focus on their AFCON 2025 campaign. Following Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Uganda, the team secured a perfect group-stage record. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring before Raphael Onyedika struck twice in quick succession. Uganda managed to pull one back late in the game, but Nigeria’s dominance remained evident throughout the match.
The team finished top of Group C and are now set to shift attention to the knockout stages of the tournament. However, the tragic news surrounding Joshua has inevitably tempered celebrations within the squad, with players and officials expressing heartfelt sympathy for the families affected.
As AFCON 2025 progresses in Morocco, Nigeria remain strong contenders for the title alongside hosts Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal. The tournament now enters its decisive phase, with the Super Eagles balancing the pursuit of football glory with the collective mourning of the boxing community over the shocking accident.
Osimhen’s leadership and compassionate response highlight the solidarity of Nigerian athletes in moments of national sorrow, demonstrating their role not only as sports figures but also as voices of empathy and national unity during tragic events.