These are not the best of times for Mr. Martin Iheanacho, a native of Afugiri in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. He was forlorn and downcast, as he cried blue murder over the gruesome killing of his son, David Nnabuihe Iheanacho, who was a rising star in the field of soccer, alongside three of his
colleagues. Iheanacho alleges that his son, the only son, and three of his friends, were murdered by people, who worked as their manager and coach.

The 19-year old young man, said to be a part-time student at the Lagos State University, and his friends met their untimely end on July 11, 2013. Mr. Iheanacho alleged that the team manager, one Emeka (surname withheld by us), had a hand in the unsavoury incident, allegeing that he and the coach must have negotiated and collected money from foriegn agents, who allegedly lured the footballers to Cotonou, Benin Republic.


Iheanacho, a construction site foreman, said he found it strange that the players had to go to Benin Republic to see the agents. He said Emeka earned a living by hunting for young football talents, developing them and selling them to foreign football clubs in Europe where they play professional football. He has a football club where he hones his players’ talents. But Emeka told Daily Sun that David and his friends drowned in a River in Cotonou when they went to see a friend.

David and his colleagues joined the club with high prospects of playing in big European clubs some day. But they never lived to actualise their dreams, as the man, who promised to make their dreams come through, allegedly cut short their lives because of money.

The young men, according to Mr. Ihenacho, had been playing around African clubs before their manager, Emeka, came up with the idea of moving them to Europe for greener pasture.

www.metronaija.com/3-footballers-lured-to-death/