Who are the Nigerian players in earthquake-stricken Turkey and what is their situation report?

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was an unused substitute against Fenerbahce. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Who are the Nigerian players in earthquake-stricken Turkey and what is their situation report?

Jidechi Chidiezie 12:22 - 07.02.2023

More than 3,400 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early on Monday.

On Monday, February 6 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked areas of Turkey and Syria, causing devastation across the countries with rising casualties.

So far, at least 3,830 deaths have been confirmed with 5,606 buildings collapsing in Turkey alone, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency.

Monday also saw multiple reports of 31-year-old Ghanaian and Hatayspor forward Christian Atsu, being trapped under debris following the earthquake. As of Tuesday, Atsu has been found alive, although injured, and has been removed from beneath the rubble and transferred to the hospital.

Like Atsu, many African footballers ply their trade in the earthquake-stricken European nation, a percentage of these, being Nigerians.

Who are the Nigerian players in Turkey?

Playing in the Super Lig

L-R: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ahmed Musa, Henry Onyekuru, Kayode Olarenwaju
  • Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor) 
  • Leke James (Sivasspor) 
  • Henry Onyekuru (Adana Demirspor) 
  • Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce) 
  • Olarenwaju Kayode (Umraniyespor) 
  • Jesse Sekidika (Umraniyespor) 
  • Anthony Uzodimma (Kayserispor) 
  • David Akintola (Adana Demirspor) 
  • Michael Ologo (Istanbulspor) 
  • Lawrence Nicholas (Fatih Karagumruk) 
  • Emeka Eze (Istanbulspor)

Plying in the 1. Lig

Sikiru Olatunbosun
  • Sikiru Olatunbosun (Tuzlaspor)
  • Azubuike Okechukwu (Rizespor)
  • Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rizespor)
  • Aaron Samuel Olanare (Erzurumspor FK)
  • Kenneth Mamah (Goztepe)
  • Aminu Umar (Bodrumspor)
  • Patrick Eze (Ankara Keciorengucu)
  • Christian Innocent (Ankara Keciorengucu)
  • Francis Ezeh (Eyupspor)
  • Chukwuma Akabueze (Genclerbirligi)
  • James Adeniyi (Tuzlaspor)

Women playing in Turkey

Super Falcons defender Glory Ogbonna only recently joined Turkish giants Besiktas
  • Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas)
  • Cynthia Aku (Atasehir)
  • Ugochi Emenayo (Konak)
  • Aminat Yakubu (Atasehir)
  • Ijeoma Daniels (Trabzonspor)
  • Emuobor Previous (Konak Belediyesi)

What has been said so far about their safety?

On Monday evening, the Nigeria Football Federation reacted to the unfortunate incident, adding that no Nigerian players were not among those trapped under rubbles of the earthquake.

"The Nigeria Football Federation is sad about the unfortunate earthquake in Kahramanmaras city of Turkey," the body said on Twitter.

"NFF President, Alh. Ibrahim Gusau has reached out to Nigerian players based in Turkey and they have all confirmed that they are fine.

"We pray the souls of the departed rest in peace even as we commiserate with the people of Turkey at this time."

Which part of Turkey is affected by earthquake?

The quakes are reported to have hit areas that generate about one-tenth of Turkey's national income, damaging airports in Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras, Malatya and Hatay.

Some hospitals and a port also partially collapsed in Hatay, authorities said. Highways were also damaged.

The initial earthquake struck the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, roughly 150 miles away from the Turkey-Syria

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