A young man who was stabbed to death near a primary school was a talented footballer from east London, it emerged today.
Ahsanullah Nawazai, who once won a Chelsea young footballer initiative, died in hospital after being attacked in a cul-de-sac in London Colney, Hertfordshire, on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old’s family were today comforting each other at their home in Walthamstow. A cousin described him as “a smiling, lovely lad” who was hoping to get back into football after injury blighted his fledgling career.
He said Mr Nawazai had recovered from a serious knee injury and was playing football again and looking forward to the future.
Hafiz Nawazai, 25, said: “He was a smiler and was always happy, a lovely lad. He was like a brother to me. I am devastated. He was a great footballer, a really skilful talent.
“He played in the Chelsea youth set-up but his progress stopped because of serious injury.”
Another relative said: “We are grieving, we are too upset to speak now.” His mother, holding back tears, said: “He was just 20.”
Mr Nawazai played for his local team Walthamstow Red Star, which tweeted: “Devastated. Another amazing talented kid leaves us which is heartbreaking.”
Mr Nawazai was attacked outside St Bernadette Catholic Primary School in Walsingham Way at about 7.15pm and was said by a resident to have been found lying in the middle of the road without footwear.
Inspector Jon Roche, from the St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This sort of incident is very unusual in London Colney and I understand that it will have left the local community concerned.
“Officers will be in the local area today carrying out reassurance patrols and speaking to local people.”
