The Nigerian football club Akpembe FC has announced the retirement of their star player, John "Jen" Akpembe. The 28-year-old forward was injured during a match against the defending champions, Hearts of Oak, and had to be taken off the pitch in tears.

Akpembe's injury is a major blow for Akpembe FC, who were hoping to make a strong push for promotion this season. He scored three goals in eight matches for the team before his injury.

Akpembe's departure leaves the team without one of their key players and will be difficult to replace. However, the team will continue to fight on without him and hope that he can recover soon enough to return to action.

Akpembe joined Akpembe FC from Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in 2017. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team and helped them win the CAF Confederation Cup in 2019. He also made several appearances for Nigeria at international level.

Akpembe's retirement comes just weeks after his teammate, Victor Osimhen, suffered a serious injury while playing for the national team. Both injuries highlight the risks associated with playing professional football at such a high level, but they also serve as reminders of the importance of protecting our players' health.

As the team mourns Jen Akpembe's retirement, they must now focus on finding a replacement for his skills and experience. With the league set to resume in a few days, Akpembe FC will have a tough task ahead of them as they try to secure their place in the top flight of Nigerian football.