Former Nigeria Under-23 captain Isaac Promise dies aged 31

Former Nigerian Under-23 captain Isaac Promise has died at the age of 31 on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

In August 2018, it was announced that Isaac would join United Soccer League expansion side Austin Bold for the 2019 season and has been with the American football club till his demise.

His death was announced in Nigeria on Thursday after the club communicated the passing of the former Nigerian youth icon.

During his early career the promising youngster attracted attention from several big name football clubs in Europe and went on trials with Manchester United alongside John Obi Mikel, but found the trials unsuccessful.

After being linked with Dutch outfit Feyenoord Rotterdam he eventually signed for Turkcell Süper Lig club Genclerbirligi in a three-year deal in August 2005.

In the Turkcell Super League 2006-07 season, Promise scored 12 goals. He more than doubled the number of his total goals for Gençlerbirliği. On 15 July 2008, Isaac agreed a four-year deal with Trabzonspor.

With Trabzonspor, he scored two goals in 26 matches. Due to average performance he was loaned out to
Manisaspor for a year.

Promise played 27 matches and scored six goals. In the summer of 2010, Manisaspor signed a contract with him.

After scoring 11 goals in 30 matches with his now relegated club Manisaspor, he signed a 3-year contract with Antalyaspor.

In February 2015, he signed a six months deal with Balıkesirspor.

International Career

Isaac was named as the captain of the Nigeria U23 squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics in China. On 13 August 2008 at Tianjin Olympic Center in Tianjin, Promised scored Nigeria’s first goal against the
United States in the preliminary stage, Nigeria went ahead to win the match by 2–1.

Nigeria won Group B in the preliminary stage, also beating Japan, and drawing with the Netherlands.

They would beat Ivory Coast and Belgium in the knockout stage, before losing to Argentina, 1–0, in the Gold medal match, earning the Silver medal.

He made his international
senior debut in 2009. He earned three caps, and scored one goal.

By Delrand Nii Ansah Mensah Whyte, Daily Mail GH

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