Shock over soccer player’s death
A minute's silence was observed at all North Tipperary & District League games last weekend following the sudden death of a Cloughjordan FC player.
Chinenyenwa ‘Chiboy’ Nwabufoh, aged 30, collapsed during a training session in Moneygall last Thursday night. It is understood that several members of the local community rushed to his aid - including members of the Dunkerrin-Barna-Moneygall Defibrillator Group - though efforts to resuscitate the player were in vain.
Originally from Nigeria, Chinenyenwa had been living in Cloughjordan and recently joined the local soccer club. He had taken part in several training sessions but was yet to feature in a competitive match.
Popular within the community, he was known by his middle name Lotanna, and by his nickname ‘Chiboy’ to his Cloughjordan FC teammates. He was engaged to Róisín, a 23-year-old student from Limerick; the couple had a son and were expecting another child.
Friend Soloman Anyafulu said Lotanna’s untimely death left “family, friends and community in deep shock and heartbreak”.
‘FULL OF DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE’
He set up a GoFundMe page in the wake of his friend’s death. “Lotanna came from Nigeria to Ireland to pursue his studies and build a brighter future,” he wrote. “While here, he met the love of his life, Róisín, and together they began a beautiful journey. They welcomed their son LJ, and just weeks ago they discovered that Róisín is expecting their second child.
“Lotanna was the rock of his family - a devoted father, a loving fiancé, and the only son of his parents back home in Nigeria. He was full of dreams for the future: marrying Róisín next year, raising their children together, and building a life filled with love and opportunity.
“His sudden passing has left a devastating void in the lives of everyone who knew him.”
The GoFundMe page - ‘Help Bring Lotanna Home and Support His Young Family’ - seeks to:
“Bring Lotanna back to Nigeria so his parents can say their final goodbyes and give him a proper burial; support Róisín, LJ, and the baby as they face this painful and uncertain future without their beloved Lotanna; support Lotanna’s parents in Nigeria during this difficult time, as Lotanna was their sole means of survival.”
Cloughjordan’s game away to Grange United last Sunday was postponed as a mark of respect.
Moneygall FC cancelled all activity at its grounds over the weekend.