Ex-Eaglet star Felagha was diabetic – Source

Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles goalkeeper, John Felagha, was diabetic before he died on Sunday, August 30, 2020, the Punch has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the ex-keeper slumped and died in his room at the Aspire Academy in Saly, Senegal despite efforts to revive him by the academy’s medical personnel.

The 26-year-old was the Eaglets’ second choice keeper as they reached the final of the U-17 World Cup on home soil in 2009.

He was also part of the Flying Eagles squad in 2013. He played professionally for Belgian side KAS Eupen, but his career ended abruptly due to injury.
Thereafter, he joined Aspire Academy as their goalkeeper coach.

An official of the academy, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that Felagha battled with a health issue before his demise.

“He was diabetic but we were all shocked when he collapsed and died in his room on Sunday,” he said.

Another official at the Senegal-based academy, a Nigerian, said the fallen coach was in “good mood and lively” shortly before he died.

Our source said, “John had lunch at about 1pm on Sunday with other Nigerians and friends at the academy and he was okay. His death came as a shock to all of us.

“At the moment, we can’t tell exactly what happened until the autopsy report is out. But we found him on the floor by his room door.

“The academy physiotherapist and the academy’s ambulance team tried to revive him but he passed on.”