NIGERIAN footballer Izu Joseph has tragically died having been shot in his hometown.
The Shooting Stars defender, 24, was hit by a stray bullet when gunmen attacked a market in Okaki, Rivers State.
Following his death, his club tweeted a heartbreaking message.
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They wrote: “A Shooting STAR is gone! Izu Joseph is gone! Flamboyant defender is gone!
“RIP, brother. What a life! May God strengthen his family #Tragedy.”
In another message, they wrote: “Born on 24th February, 1992, Izu Joseph left too soon at 24 wearing jersey #24 for @Official3SC. #RIPIzu #Izu24”
Meanwhile, on the young defender’s shock death, the Nigerian Football Federation added their condolences.
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They wrote: “Our thoughts are with the Mgt. & Staff of @Official3SC on the shocking loss of their player, Izu Joseph.
“May his soul Rest In Peace! #RIPIzu”.
The NFF president Amaju Pinnick added in a statement: “I am sorely distraught with what has happened.
“It is a most unfortunate incident that has brought sorrow to the Nigeria football family, barely a week after we were celebrating victory in a World Cup qualifying match.
“What has happened is most painful. I want to appeal to our football players to always be mindful of the company they keep and the places they go at all times, because they are special assets.
“At the end of the day, each and everyone of us will die, but we don’t want to be losing football players in the manner in which Izu Joseph has died.”
Joseph played for Nigerian Premier League side Shooting Stars – who were one of the league’s founding members back in 1972.
They have won the top flight five times – most recently in 1999.
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