Several well-known Nigerians and international athletes who eagerly entered 2025 passed away that year. Football, boxing, wrestling, and other sports have suffered the loss of popular figures and personalities in 2025. DAILY POST examines ten notable Nigerian athletes and other global personalities that passed away in 2025, shocking both Nigeria and the rest of the world. Lawal Abubakar The Nigerian forward, who was a member of the Vipers Sports Club in Uganda, unfortunately died on February 23, 2025, after being involved in a motorcycle accident on Entebbe Road in Kampala, Uganda.Chukwu Christian On April 12, 2025, the former Super Eagles coach passed away. At the age of 74, Chukwu died away. He was one of the football players from Nigeria that coached and played for their country. In 1980, Chukwu led the Super Eagles to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory. He later served as head coach of the team in the early 2000s. Rufai, Peter After fighting a protracted illness, the former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. Dodomayana, as he is affectionately known, played in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain and was considered one of the Nigerians for twenty years. In addition, he competed for Nigeria in numerous AFCON, Africa Cup of Nations, and World Cup competitions.
Jota Diogo Jota passed away on July 3, 2025, the same day as former Super Eagles goalie Peter Rufai did. Along with his brother Andre, the Liverpool attacker perished in a vehicle accident in Spain. He was a member of the Reds team that won the Premier League title in May during Arne Slot’s first season. The car slid off the road on the A-52 in the province of Zamora when the 28-year-old and Andre were inside. His untimely death occurred just two weeks after he married Rute Cardoso, his longtime partner, in Porto.Foreman, George On March 21, 2025, the legendary boxer died at the age of 76. In addition to winning gold in the 1968 Olympics, Foreman was a two-time world heavyweight champion. The American participated in two of the most famous fights in history. He faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century” in 1971.He also competed against Muhammad Ali in “The Rumble in the Jungle” three years later.He only lost five fights in his career before quitting boxing in 1997.Hogan the Hulk The legendary wrestler passed away in his Clearwater, Florida, home on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. Hogan was well-known for a variety of occupations, including film acting, but wrestling was the most well-liked. In addition, he starred in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Rocky III, and No Hold Barred.Faras Ahmed After a protracted illness, the legendary Moroccan football player died in Mohammedia on July 16, 2025, at the age of 78. Faras, who is recognized as one of the best football players in Morocco and Africa, made a significant contribution to the Atlas Lions.In 1976, he led Morocco to its lone Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory and won African Footballer of the Year. Denis Law At the age of 84, the Scottish football great passed away on January 17, 2025. Law battled vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease before passing away. Throughout his professional career, he was referred to as the “King of the Stretford End.” Campbell, Elden After experiencing a medical emergency while fishing, the former American basketball star passed away on December 1, 2025. With 1,880 points, Campbell is Clemson’s all-time top scorer. In the 1990s, he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA championship.Saitiev Buvaisar On March 2, 2025, the three-time Russian freestyle wrestling champion passed away. Saitiev died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 49. He is considered by many to be among the all-time great freestyle wrestlers.
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