Ex-Nigeria soccer player dead at 40 after suffering suspected heart attack during game

· New York Post

Former Nigeria forward Michael Eneramo died after collapsing on the field during a friendly game on Friday.

The 40-year-old Eneramo “appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest five minutes into the second half of the said friendly match,” the Nigerian Football Federation said, citing early reports.

Eneramo played the whole first half of the game in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, on Friday morning.

“This is devastating. I am short of words at this moment,” NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said.

Michael Eneramo of Nigeria celebrates after scoring their first goal during a International friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Craven Cottage on May 29, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images

Eneramo made 10 appearances for Nigeria after turning down the opportunity to play for Tunisia, where he enjoyed a prolific club career and considered accepting citizenship.

He was nicknamed “The Tank” by fans of Espérance Sportive de Tunis, which he helped to “a number of silverwares,” the NFF said. He also played in Turkey for Sivasspor, Beşiktaş and Başakşehir among others.

Eneramo made his Nigeria debut against Jamaica in a friendly in February 2009, then scored his first international goal against Ireland in the next game three months later, also a friendly.