By Isaac Afolabi
Former National U20 player Chukwuma Akabueze has joined other well meaning Nigerians to express his deep sympathy to the players and management of Sunshine stars football club of Ondo over the recent attack.
The ex- Nigeria international while thanking God for no life was loss in the incident, described the attack as shocking,barbaric and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured players and officials .
Akabueze popularly called “Bentley” by his fans suggested drafting of security personnel in accompanying all Nigeria Premier football League teams to all away matches due to the insecurity challenges in the country to address reoccurrence.
According to him,”I will suggest that sunshine stars and other NPFL teams should be traveling with security officials attached to the team bus like it is done in other teams in europe to protect them because their welfare is very important”
While narrating his years of experience in NPFL, long trips and night journey while playing for Sunshine Stars,Kwara united and Enugu Rangers football club charged football stakeholders to do more in welfare and security of players in the Nigeria league.
The former Wuhan Zall of China player who currently play for Gençlerbirliği of Turkey charged Sunshine Stars players and management to put behind them the traumatic experience encounter and focus on other matches ahead.
Recalled that Sunshine Stars were attacked by suspected armed robbery gang along Ore-Benin Express road while traveling to Benin to honour NPFL Match Day 13 fixture against Bendel Insurance FC of Benin.
The match, was later played on Sunday December 10 at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin due to the unfortunate incident in which the team’s Curator was shot in his stomach while the team manager sustained some injuries.
Akabueze however charged the players and management of sunshine stars to put behind them the traumatic experience encounter and focus on other matches ahead.