PHOTO: The bus the players were traveling in on fire.
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
Players of the Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi State were on Thursday morning involved in a fatal crash while travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in a bus for a match fixture.
NATIONAL ACCORD learnt that although the players escaped unhurt but their bus they were traveling in and all their belongings were burnt beyond recognition.
The Club’s Secretary, Abdullahi Ibrahim, confirmed the incident to journalists in a telephone interview.
According to him, the accident occurred at Hawan Kibo, Plateau State as the team was on its way for a match fixture with Dakada United of Akwa Ibom this Saturday at Uyo.
He said that although no one sustained any injury, however, the players were in great shock.
“Yes one of the tires of the bus bursted and the vehicle was engulfed with fire. Fortunately, the vehicle did not somersault and all the players and other occupants were able to escape through the windows of the bus. No one was hurt but the players and the occupants are in shock,” he stated.
He said that the team left Bauchi at about 4:00am today (Thursday) and was moving smoothly before the accident pointing out that the kits of all their players and other belongings as well as those of the officials were burnt completely to ashes.
Ibrahim said: “Thank God no one was hurt but the players are in shock because they all escaped out through the windows of the bus but all their match kits, jerseys, boots were burnt to ashes”.
“They are still at the scene of the accident waiting for help. We have spoken with Plateau United to assist us with a bus to convey our players home because they are in shock.”
Asked if the match would still hold as scheduled, he said that he did not know whether it would be postponed or not, saying he is in communication with Abuja for further action.
“The match was to be played this Saturday and was supposed to be a live match but now with this accident we don’t know”.
“We don’t know for now because even if they are to play the match, will they play barefooted?
“There was nothing that was removed from the bus. We have to ascertain the loss but all their bags, items, kits , jerseys were all burnt. The items are usually gathered at one corner in the buss whenever they are travelling,” he said.