Lobi Stars of Makurdi goalkeeper, Daniel Atsaka has recounted ugly scenes and scary moments he and his teammates faced on their way back from last weekend’s match in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), as the luxury bus they were travelling in suddenly caught fire and left burnt all over, megasportsarena.com reports.
While confirming that no one was hurt in the scary incident, Atsaka admitted that he and the other players, as well as their coaches and team officials were left mouth agape on the road side, as they watched helpless while the bus was reduced to a scarred metal skeleton.
The team was returning from Ilorin, where they won 1-0 away to Kwara United in an NPFL week 22 fixture on Sunday and, just five kilometres from their base in Makurdi, Benue State, the bus went up in flames.
Although there was no direct casualty as a result of the fire, eye witnesses disclosed that some of the players and officials sustained minor injuries while trying to escape through the windows, with cuts from the glass and bruises from landing badly on the ground outside.
However, the Middle Belt outfit’s shot-stopper went on to give thanks to God for sparing him and everyone else on the bus, even as he declared that they remain committed to the task of ensuring they win the NPFL title again this season.
Lobi Stars, who won the title by default two seasons ago, when the season had to be cut short abruptly in order to meet up with Confederation of African Football (CAF) calendar and deadline for registration of continental campaigners, are currently third with 39 points on the NPFL log, much to the delight of Atrsaka, who took to social media to reveal his gratitude to God.
Atsaka posted: “How God did it, I don’t know. I lost a few valuables but most importantly my life n those of my teammates was preserved by God. We’re now home n safe @LMCNPFL @Unik_LobiFans @LobiStars @ojeksaikhoje @mekus102 @EmekaOgbugh @ToniOkpotu.”
One of the players, Musa Tinajare was also heard giving thanks in a video posted on Twitter, as he exclaimed: “Look at our car, look at Lobi Stars car catching fire, God thank you for saving us.”
One of the club’s former players, Sikiru Alimi joined in the rain of thanks, as he stated from his new base at Stade Tunisien of Tunisia, that he was sad to hear about the incident but, while expressing sympathy with those who lost valuables in the fire, he consoled them to take joy in the continuity of life and confidence that they will recover everything that was burnt to ashes.
Alimi posted on social media: “When there’s life, Hope plenty…my prayers are with @LobiStars players over the incident last night, may GOD replenish your loses.”
