A former Croatia international, Nikola Pokrivac, died in a car accident in Karlovac in central Croatia on Friday, the anniversary of the similar death of a Nigerian international footballer, Adefemi Olubayo.
Olubayo died in a car crash while driving on the A2 motorway at Egnatia Odos, near the city of Kaval in Greece, while on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Nigeria to finalise details of his wedding.
In similar circumstances, the former Croatian footballer died on the same 18 April.
According to information by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), Pokrivac, who featured for Croatia from 2008 to 2010, was 39 at the time of his death.
Local media reported that the collision, which involved four vehicles, also killed one other person from a different car.
Pokrivac was in a vehicle with three teammates from fourth-tier club NK Vojnic, who are injured, two of them critically.
Former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Pokrivac played for Croatia from 2008 to 2010, earning 15 caps. He also played for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco and Austrian club RB Salzburg.
“It is impossible to find words of comfort in such a shocking and unimaginably sad moment when we have lost a young life,” the HNS said in a statement.
“I can only express my deepest condolences to Nikola’s family and loved ones for this irreparable loss, and the HNS and the Croatian football family will be with them in these most difficult moments,” HNS President Marijan Kustic added.
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