BY DONALD AGBAVOBOR
The death of
former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade last Friday in Ibadan sent shock
waves across the football fraternity in the country with many still yet to come
to terms with the reality of the sad occurrence.
And as tributes continue to pour in for the
former defensive stalwart of the Super Eagles, Nasarawa State commissioner for Youth and
Sports Development Honourable Othman Bala Adam has expressed deep sadness over
the loss, describing it as a sad commentary for the entire football family in
the country
In a
statement issued in Lafia, the Nasarawa State commissioner for sports condoled
with the Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, his Oyo State
counterpart Engr. Segun Fakorede, the family of the late Ajibade Babalade and
football fans across the country over the unfortunate incident
Honourable
Othman who was also a former footballer in his youthful days having played for
a number of clubs in the Nigerian league including the defunct ITF fc of Jos, recalled
with fond memories the exploits of the late Ajibade Babalade in the round
leather game.
He
particularly made reference to his performance in the national team where he
was a key member of the Super Eagles team that won bronze at the 1992 Africa
Cup of Nations and also helped 3sc of Ibadan reach the final of the CAF
Champions League in 1996.
