Shola Akinyele
Global boxing icon Anthony Joshua is grieving the devastating loss of two close friends and team members who were killed in a fatal car accident in Nigeria, a tragedy that has drawn widespread sympathy from fans and fellow athletes around the world.
The victims, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s trusted strength coach and personal trainer, died instantly on December 29, 2025, after the Lexus SUV carrying them slammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The highway is notorious for heavy traffic and recurring accidents involving broken-down trucks.
Joshua, who was also in the vehicle, reportedly moved to the back seat moments before the crash, a split-second decision believed to have spared him from fatal injuries. He sustained **minor injuries and was treated before being discharged.
Law enforcement authorities confirmed that the driver of the Lexus has been charged with manslaughter. The driver pleaded not guilty, citing an alleged **brake failure as the cause of the collision, and was granted bail pending further investigation.
In a deeply emotional Instagram tribute, Joshua described Ghami and Ayodele as more than colleagues, calling them brothers and pillars of his journey. He pledged continued support for their families, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming messages of love and solidarity pouring in from across the globe.
The tragedy has also fueled speculation about Joshua’s future in boxing. A family source, quoted as saying the boxer may consider retirement at age 36, sparked intense debate online. However, no official confirmation has come from Joshua or his management team, with close sources stressing that he is currently focused on healing and mourning, not career decisions.
Beyond the personal loss, the incident has reignited national concern over road safety on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where abandoned and poorly marked trucks continue to pose deadly risks to motorists.
As investigations continue, tributes to Ghami and Ayodele keep pouring in, while Anthony Joshua confronts a painful chapter that transcends sport—one defined by loss, reflection, and resilience.
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