Bidemi Aluko Olaseni: NFF Announces Death of Former Nigerian International

• Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni battled cancer for eight years but has since passed away
• The Nigerian Football Federation announced the tragic news on Saturday night
• Aluko-Olaseni was a goalkeeper for the Super Falcons between 2012 and 2013

Former Nigerian international, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni, has tragically passed away at the age of 30.

The former national team goalkeeper was said to have been battling cancer for the past eight years.

The Nigerian Football Federation took to their official handle on X to announce the sad occurrence.

The statement by the West African nation's football body read as follows:

“We are sad to hear of the passing of former [Super Falcons] goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni, after an eight-year battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May her gentle soul rest in peace."

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Aluko-Olaseni was in the Super Falcons set-up between 2012 and 2013, and it was reported that she needed about N5 million for treatment in Nigeria.

She had stints with top Nigerian Women's Football League clubs like Rivers Angels and Sunshine Queens.

Punch reports that the star was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, during her time with the former top flight club.

In 2019, she opened up that as soon as the disease was detected, she underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and even surgery.

The retired keeper disclosed that she was forced to quit football because of the terminal disease.

Fans have continued to send their condolence messages after news of Aluko-Olaseni's passing.

One said:

"People go through so much pain and sometimes keep it private. I never had an idea she was going through this in all of our communication. Jeeeez! Rest on buddy! Life!"

Another added:

"Sad! Prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family. May God continue to comfort her immediate family."

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FIFA pays tribute to late Stephen Keshi

Sports Brief earlier reported that the world’s football governing body, FIFA, hailed the late Nigerian legend, Stephen Keshi, who passed away in 2016.

FIFA shared a clip featuring the 54-year-old from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Argentina defeated the West Africans 3-2 in the group stage.