The Russian invasion of Ukraine is at the centre of global attention with the war affecting numerous sports acitivities in both countries.
With the countries seemingly at a standtill, an 18-year-old Nigerian midfielder is trapped inside Ukraine trying to find an exit route out of the chaos.
Michael Obamina, who plays for Rukh Lviv, shared his experience to the media, recalling that the invasion happened just days after he landed in Ukraine from a mid-season tour of Turkey.
Also Read: Pamela Jelimo: Retracing Star Athlete Who Won Millions, Now Serving as a Cop
Revealing that the war has left the country in a frantic state with everyone embodying a survival of the fittest mentality.
“It’s basically been one of the most devastating moments of my life and career. Everybody is just fighting for survival and trying to breathe, trying to get air, just make sure you live to see the next day. We're just trying to live," he told Goal.com
The teen footballer painted a picture of numerous dead bodies spread around the city of Lviv - where he's stranded.
“When you go out you see many casualties. There is fear, anxiety, and accidents happening here and there within and outside the city. People are really anxious to get out of the city and the country, and there are casualties on the road. It’s crazy."
"A couple of times we tried to get out but we’re just stuck here right now," he intimated.
Reeling from the effects of the invasion, he revealed that only a number of hospitals are currently operational as majority of them have been shut down.
"Right now the country is in a state of emergency, and almost the whole system is down. Everything is shut down, the only systems working right now are hospitals, maybe grocery stores, the supermarket just to get food, and it’s maybe only open in the morning," he stated.
Obamina is among six Nigerian players based in Ukraine who were affected by the invasion. The others include Michael Gopey Stephen, David Chukwufumnanya, Viv Solomon-Otabor, Henry Tedum Paago and John Essien.
Three of the players are in the top-flight league while the other three are in the second division.
Currently, a number of delegates from the two countries held talks at the Ukraine-Belarus border in a bid to find an amicable solution to the conflict. According to Ukraine's health ministry, the death toll stands at 352 people, including 14 children.
Also Read: Vladimir Putin's Love for These 7 Hardcore Sports