by Damilola Jagun

Joel Adesina, a 15-year-old Nigerian footballer, has been murdered in the United Kingdom.

He and his friends were ambushed while taking a walk and were chased into a housing estate in Bethnal Green, East London, where he was cornered and stabbed in the stomach on Friday night last week.

Joel was later rushed to the hospital where he died three hours later. An 18 year-old suspect was arrested but subsequently released with no further action expected to be taken.

Meanwhile, neighbours and manager of the Joel’s football team described him a gentle young boy who never stayed out late as he was mostly seen returning home in his football kits

His coach at Bardag FC Yellows, Ricky Downes described Joel “as good as gold and talented enough to play professionally.”

“To say that myself and the club are devastated is an understatement, we are absolutely in bits. Joel was a wonderful young lad who had the world at his feet.”

“He was a very talented footballer and had ambitions of playing professionally. I think he had a future in the sport and could have played for a living. He was a very talented footballer and had ambitions of playing professionally. I think he had a future in the sport and could have played for a living.”

Downes added: “There was something about Joel that touched me and his death is totally unexpected. He never gave me any inkling that he was involved in gangs or anything like that. He was cheeky, bubbly, and a thoroughly likeable young man.”

“Police were called by London Ambulance Service to Bethnal Green Road, E2, at 23:04hrs on Friday, 5 December. Officers attended and found a 15-year-old boy suffering from serious stab injuries to the abdomen.”

“The boy was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital. Anyone who may have witnessed this altercation or have information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact the police as soon as possible.”

Kolapo Olapoju