Martins cuts short preseason after mother dies

Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins will return to Nigeria on Friday following the tragic death of his mother.

Monsurat Martins died here on Wednesday in the aftermath of a petrol tanker accident that killed at least 12 people. She will be buried on Friday.

The 62-year-old suffered a shock following the accident, which caused a huge inferno and several explosions, near her home.

"This is a huge blow to Martins because he was very close to his mother," a family member said.

Sapa-AFP