Anthony Joshua Breaks Silence After Nigeria Car Crash Kills Two Team Members

Anthony Joshua has released his first public statement since a serious car accident in Nigeria that left him injured and claimed the lives of two senior members of his team.

Sina Ghami, Joshua’s long-serving strength and conditioning coach, and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, one of his trainers, were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling struck a stationary lorry on a major road near Lagos on Monday. Joshua was a passenger in the car at the time of the collision.

The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion was taken to hospital for treatment and discharged on Wednesday. He has since returned to the United Kingdom ahead of the funerals of his late colleagues.

On Sunday, Joshua shared a brief but poignant tribute on Instagram, posting two photographs of himself seated alongside his mother and three other women. One of them is holding a framed photograph of Ghami. The post was accompanied by the caption: “My Brother’s Keeper.”

Nigerian authorities confirmed on Friday that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, has been charged in connection with the incident. The Ogun State Police Command said proceedings had commenced at the Sagamu Magistrate Court.

Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, had been holidaying in Nigeria following his sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

The tragedy has cast a sombre shadow over what had been a triumphant period in Joshua’s career, with tributes continuing to pour in for Ghami and Ayodele, both of whom were regarded as integral figures within his inner circle.