Striker Basil Chibueze’s premature death has stunned colleagues at Marsa FC.Football enthusiasts in Marsa were shocked yesterday when they woke up to the news that their 24-year-old goal getter Basil Chibueze had died suddenly while jogging.
Sources said the Nigerian forward, who was naturalised Maltese last year, was exercising in his free time late on Monday when he collapsed. He died at Mater Dei Hospital.
Mr Chibueze, a father of two, would have been 25 in three weeks’ time and was on loan with Marsa FC from Santa Luċija in the season that ended last month. He worked as a bus driver.
The sudden collapse was a chilling déjà vu since Mr Chibueze’s elder brother, Ikechukwu, also passed away in similar circumstances seven years ago at the age of 23. The elder brother at the time played football with Mqabba.
It is unclear whether the brothers suffered from some condition but Marsa FC president Twanny Mercieca yesterday told Times of Malta that at the start of the season every player underwent a medical test. “I was shocked because he was a healthy player and never showed any sign of weakness.
He underwent a medical and no problems were flagged
“He underwent a medical examination at the start of the season and no problems were flagged,” Mr Mercieca said.
Footballers are obliged by the Malta Football Association to undergo a medical test every two years. MFA vice president Chris Bonnet said any footballer caught playing with an expired medical certificate or without one would be suspended.
Last season Mr Chibueze helped Marsa achieve their modest target of remaining afloat in Division Two, scoring 10 goals. The club finished ninth and in a position just outside the drop zone.
He was the club’s top scorer and according to Mr Mercieca an important cog in the team.
“We had agreed with him to play for us next season and he was in the process of obtaining the release from his club,” Mr Mercieca said, adding he was “a serious, disciplined and very dedicated” person.
Is this for real? I only saw him yesterday driving a bus
On the club’s Facebook page, committee member Eric Farrugia said Mr Chibueze was a professional player with a motivation “to get to a higher level”.
Fellow Marsa footballer Denilson Sammut could not believe the news. “Is this for real? I only saw him yesterday driving a bus.”
Santa Luċija president Victor Scerri said Mr Chibueze was “a respectful person and gentleman”. The sentiments were shared by Santa Luċija coach Marco Grech.