Nigerian defender David Faramola Oniya died on Saturday after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly match between his Malaysian club T-Team and Kelantan. He was 30. Local media said the T-Team skipper collapsed three minutes into the match in Kota Bharu and was taken to hospital. T-Team CEO Syahrizan Mohd Zain said Oniya did not receive medical treatment quick enough.
“He suffered a heart attack, but it could have been a different story had the ambulance driver been alert,” Syahrizan said.
“The driver was at the stands watching the game when Oniya suddenly collapsed and out defender was deprived of oxygen for several minutes,” he added to the New Straits Times.
Oniya had only joined the Malaysian club this season, after playing for clubs in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and had barely touched the ball in the match on Saturday.
