Former Nigeria youth goalkeeper Felagha dies in Senegal

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the death of former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles goalkeeper John Felagha on Monday.

Felagha died at the age of 26 in Senegal on Sunday but the cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.

He was a member of the Nigeria U17 team that finished second at the 2009 Fifa U17 World Cup hosted on home soil and was also part of the Nigeria U20 squad that travelled to Turkey for the 2013 Fifa U20 World Cup.

Felagha also made the Flying Eagles cut for the 2013 Toulon Tournament in France and he played in their 1-1 draw against Brazil U21 at the Stade Louis Hon.

At club level, the 26-year-old joined Belgian outfit AS Eupen from Aspire Academy, Senegal in July 2012.

He played two games for the Pandas in the Belgian second division before departing in 2013.

Felagha’s last competitive football outing was in 2013 and he proceeded to coaching at Aspire Academy.

“The sad passing of John Felagha, ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper, came to us all as a rude shock,” Nigerian Sports Minister, Sunday Dare tweeted.

“He represented Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) & 2015 U20 Fifa World Cup. He was coaching future stars before his sudden demise. May God comfort his family and friends.”

“Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died,” the NFF tweeted. “Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal. He was aged 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

“KAS Eupen offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Felagha,” Eupen wrote on their website.