Former Nigerian striker, Monday Odiaka slams federal govt over Sofoluwe’s death

Ejoh mourns Ex- Super Eagles defender’s death

By Our Sports Desk

The sports fraternity in Nigeria has been thrown into a another mourning as the death of former Super Eagles defender Yisa Sofoluwe was announced.

At the time of his passing, Sofoluwe was 53 years of age.

The media had reported the former left-back was initially diagnosed of mild cerebral atrophy at the Prince and Life Medical Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos, but was moved to LUTH last Friday after his medical condition worsened.

However, EAGLE EYE WATCH confirmed the death of Sofoluwe the man fondly called the ‘Dean of Defence’ lost the battle to stay alive.

Reacting to the news of the demised of Ex-Nigerian international Yisa Sofoluwe fondly called ‘minister of defence’by ace late Nigerian commentator Earnest Okonkwo,the Director-General Global Center for Media and Human Empowerment Charles Ejoh has described his death as painful.

“It is dishearten to hear of the death of this cerebral and stylish Nigerian rightful back defender who stood like the ’Rock of Gibraltar’ for the then Green Eagles at the 1988 African Cup of Nations in Morrocco were we clinched  a silver medal at the expense of eventual winners the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun by a lone goal.

I was a staunch admirer of Sofoluwe,though I did not hear of him for a very long time. I pray God Almighty grant his family and the Nigerian football fraternity the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Speaking exclusively to EAGLE EYE WATCH from his base in Lagos on the death of Sofoluwe,Former Flying Eagles striker  Monday Odiaka,a bronze booth winner at the 1985 Under 20 World Cup in Moscow has berated the Nigerian government for neglecting its ex-internationals.Saying that Sofoluwe’s death may also be connected to frustration.

“I also received the news with shock and mixed feelings because we were playmates and he was a very good player but on the other end the Nigerian government has failed in terms of honoring its ex-internationals. I believe that my colleague Sofoluwe must have died as a result of frustration”,he said.

Sofoluwe had 40 appearances for the national team in which he scored once.

He was a member of the Eagles squad that got to the final of the 1984 and 1988 AFCON tournaments.

Sofoluwe’s death comes a few days after that of another former Nigeria International goal keeper and coach Joe Erico.