The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the death of former Super Eagles forward Michael Eneramo after he collapsed during a football match.

The footballer was 40 years old.

The NFF, in a statement, said Eneramo slumped and died on the pitch during a local friendly match in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, in the early hours of Friday, April 24.

“Former Nigeria international forward Michael Eneramo collapsed and died on the pitch in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, on Friday morning, during a local friendly game in which he had played the entire first half,” the federation stated. 

The NFF stated that the incident happened five minutes into the second half of the game, adding that initial reports indicated cardiac arrest was the cause of Eneramo’s death. 

“Early reports indicated that Eneramo appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest five minutes into the second half of the said friendly match,” the NFF said. 

“This is devastating. I am short of words at this moment. I can only pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant his loved ones and the Nigerian football family the fortitude to bear the loss,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said in his condolence message. 

During his professional career, Eneramo played for several clubs across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, including Esperance Tunis, USM Alger, Sivasspor, Besiktas, Al-Shabab, Al-Ettifaq and others. 

He featured 10 times for the Super Eagles after making his first appearance in a friendly match against Jamaica in 2009.