Tragedy as footballer Gift Atulewa, 38, dies suddenly just one month after burying his wife

FOOTBALLER Gift Atulewa has tragically passed away at the age of 38.

The striker died in the early hours of Tuesday morning following complications with his blood pressure.

He was still mourning the loss of his wife, who passed just one month ago.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Delta State Football Association said: “We just buried the wife last month, that may have contributed to this development.

"He has blood pressure issues but he had been managing it.

"The day before yesterday, the condition became bad and he was taken to the hospital.

"They noticed he had malaria but aside from that, the blood pressure kept going up, we lost him this morning by 7am.

"As we are speaking, there is an ex-international football tournament going on in Delta State - he is part of the ex-Uwei where he comes from, he is part of their team.

"He scored the first goal of the tournament from a wonderful free kick that he is known for, he scored that goal like three weeks ago when the competition began."

Atulewa had recently travelled to the Ivory Coast to complete a coaching course.

He retired from professional football in 2016 having played for Nigerian clubs Bayelsa United, Ocean Boys and Warri Wolves.

The striker also made three appearances for Nigeria's Under-20s.