Super Falcons assistant coach Ayisat Yusuf has expressed grief following a road accident involving players of her football academy, which claimed the life of one player and left several others injured.

According to her, the accident occurred as members of the Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy travelled from Ikenne, Ogun State, to honour their league fixture at the Olympic Pitch, Sonya, Ijesha, Lagos State.

Yusuf, a former Super Falcons player recently appointed to support interim coach Austin Eguavoen, disclosed the incident in a statement shared on Facebook.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I address the public following the tragic road accident involving members of Ayisat Yusuf Football Academy while they were travelling from Ikenne, Ogun State, to honour their league fixture at the Olympic Pitch, Sonya, Ijesha, Lagos State.

“Sadly, we lost one of our beloved girls in this incident. Several other players sustained injuries, with some requiring urgent medical attention and further medical investigations. Our team driver was also seriously affected,” she wrote.

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The former Nigeria international described the deceased player as a member of her football family, saying the tragedy had left the academy devastated.

“As a family, this is a moment of immense pain for us. Beyond being members of a football team, these girls are our children, our family and a huge part of everything we have built together.

“Losing one of them is a pain that is difficult to put into words, and our hearts are particularly heavy for the family of our departed girl,” she added.

She also appealed to the football community and the public to support the affected players and their families with prayers and encouragement.

“I want to sincerely appeal to our families, friends, partners, colleagues in the football community and members of the general public to please keep our girls and everyone affected in your prayers.

“We ask for your goodwill, encouragement, heartfelt condolences and support during this incredibly difficult time,” she said.

She extended her condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured players and team driver a speedy recovery.

“To the family of our departed girl, please accept my deepest condolences. May God grant you the strength to bear this painful loss. To our injured girls and team driver, we are standing with you, praying for your recovery and hoping for better days ahead,” she said.

The coach assured that the academy remained committed to the welfare and recovery of those affected, adding that further updates would be provided as more information became available.

Yusuf represented Nigeria at the 2004 African Women’s Championship, the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics before retiring and moving to Finland, where she works as a football coach and social advocate.