The management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah has confirmed the road crash involving members of the team enroute to Sunday's match with Sunshine Stars of Akure.

The club’s Chairman, Chuma Ubah, who described the incident as pathetic and excruciating, said the team was coming out of the trauma.

He assured their fans that two of the seriously affected players of the team were responding to treatment, while others and their fans had continued to support the team.

According to Ubah, "sequel to the reports making the rounds this (Friday) morning, we wish to confirm that FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s team bus conveying the players and officials was involved in an auto accident.

“The accident occurred along Benin/Ore expressway while we were on our way to Akure to honour the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 36 fixture with Sunshine Stars billed for Sunday, September 3.

“Six of our players sustained varying degrees of injuries and two that are unconscious hitherto have regained consciousness and are receiving treatment presently at the closest medical facility near the scene of the accident.

“We wish to express our felicitations for your concern, support, show of emotions, deepest thoughts and prayers at this sad time,’’ he said.

Ubah said the club would come up with decisions on the matter as related to their ability to honour the match as scheduled.

A source close to the club said the accident was due to lane violation by a driver who rammed into the team's vehicle.

In a related development, at least 19 people, including five children, died in an accident at Ogoneki in Edo State, off Asaba-Benin Expressway on Thursday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.

Mr Samuel Odukoya, state Sector Commander, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin City that the accident, which involved a trailer and a passenger bus, occurred at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday.

He said 24 persons were trapped in the accident involving a trailer with registration number DRZ 374 XA and a Toyota bus marked ABD 206 XA.

Odukoya said 16 people died on Thursday, while three other persons died in a hospital on Friday.

According to him, five others sustained various degrees of injury.

“The trip was from Benin to Auchi and the cause of the accident was attributed to dangerous overtaking.

“Three females, 11 males, a female child and four male children were killed in the accident, while five men were injured and have been taken to the hospital,” the commander said.‎

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