Former Nigerian football star, Joseph Dosu, recently escaped a dangerous truck accident in Lagos. The incident took place in the Ojodu Berger area on October 4, 2024. While waiting at a fuel station, a truck carrying iron crashed into his car, leaving it severely damaged.
“To God be the glory, another d@ath escape by grace and mercy of God… I and my friend SM were at Enyo filling station after Ojodu Berger bus stop to get fuel… when this Mack truck with registration number LND 470 XX, fully loaded with iron, left the road and crushed my car,” he wrote.
Joseph Dosu confirmed the event on Facebook, expressing relief that he survived the accident unharmed. Dosu, who played as a goalkeeper for the Nigerian Super Eagles, had a promising football career before a 1997 accident in Lagos ended his playing days. The 1997 crash, which happened along Ikorodu Road, injured his spine, forcing him to retire early from football.
“My career was short-lived because of the accident. It happened after we beat Guinea 3-0 to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France. After the game, we went back to Sheraton, our hotel, and I prepared to visit my wife and children. I was with a friend, on Saturday, a policeman on my way home when I had the accident,” he narrated.
“Suddenly, everywhere went blank; all I could see were cows everywhere. As I tried to control the car, I veered off the road. I asked the guy beside me, ‘Saturday are you okay?’ And he said, ‘Yes I’m okay.’ And I told him, ‘I’m not okay.’ So we were waiting for help and suddenly Taribo West’s car was passing by though he wasn’t inside. They saw us and rescued us and took us to Eko Hospital.
“The first thing the matron did was to smell my mouth to find out if I was on alcohol. And I replied immediately, ‘I don’t drink and smoke. It’s just an accident that can happen to anybody. Before I knew it, I passed out and when I woke up, I found myself in Plaster of Paris.”
Dosu is best remembered for helping Nigeria secure the gold medal in football at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After that victory, he joined Italian Serie A club Reggiana. Unfortunately, his football career was cut short after the accident, but he remains a respected figure in Nigerian sports.
This latest accident, which Dosu survived without injury, is a reminder of the dangers on Lagos roads. Despite the damage to his car, Dosu is thankful for escaping unhurt.
