Lifestyle

Ajibade Babalade created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill – Oyo SWAN

By Web News 965

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Oyo State Chapter has said that the death of Former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade has created a vacuum that would be hard to fill.

In a statement by the Oyo State Chairman of SWAN, Olaolu Fawole and made available to newsmen, the association said his death came at a time when the sports fraternity was still mourning.

The statement described the death of the never-say-never defender as very shocking due to the fact that he never showed any sign of illness.

“Sports writers in Oyo State condole his family and the entire football circle and pray God grant him eternal rest” the statement adds.

Aged 48, Ajibade Babalade who died last Friday was a member of the Super Eagles team that won bronze at the 1992 Nations Cup in Senegal. 

He was a dependable defender during his active days at Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, Stationery Stores of Lagos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, Africa Sports of Cote de’ Ivoire and Strum Graz of Austria.

PR/Adedayo Adelowo

Lifestyle

Babalade’s Death a Huge Loss – Sunday Dare

By Web News 915

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has described the death of former Super Eagles defender Ajibade Babalade as a huge loss to not just his family, but the entire Nigerian Football fraternity. 

The Minister said he was shocked and saddened by the news of the demise of the former 3SC defender. 

“I received with shock and sadness in my heart the news of the death of one of Nigeria’s most hardworking and dedicated players, Ajibade Babalade who served the country and his profession well. He played such a prominent role in his active playing days.  

“He was a nightmare to attackers and a Trojan in the heart of the Eagles defence. So sad that he died shortly after the death of another national team player.  

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire football family. May God grant him eternal peace and console his family,” the Minister said in a statement. 

Kunde as he was popularly called in his playing days reportedly died of cardiac arrest on Friday September 4th, 2020 after he was taken to a hospital in Ibadan.

He was a member of the Bronze winning Super Eagles team to the 1992 Nations Cup in Senegal. He played for 3SC of Ibadan, Stationery Stores of Lagos, Iwuayanwun Nationale of Owerri, Africa Sports of Cote de’ Ivoire, Strum Graz of Austria among other clubs.

He was aged 48.

PR/Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

Ajibade Babalade’s Death: FFCN Mourns with NFF, 3SC

By Web News 715

The entire Football Fans Club of Nigeria, FFCN, ably led by the National President, Ambassador Oluwakemi Ogunfuwa has mourned the sudden demise of former Stationary stores of Lagos, Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade

Ogunfuwa said she was in rude shock for the sudden departure of the great Legend. “I still don’t want to believe that the Kunde has gone because he was full of life and vitality as of the last time I saw him. There was never any noticeable illness from Ajibade Babalade’s physiognomy. Honestly, the news of his death was shocking and unbelievable. May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest.”

From the chairmen of the State chapters cuts across the nation, they said “Ajibade’s exit was too painful for us to bear considering his tender age (48yrs) and also his gentle nature with the football fraternity couple with his administratively expertise.

Alluding to his strides, the General Secretary of the group, Mr Babatunde Ojomu said he was part of the 1995 winning squad that won treble for the Oluyole Warriors and replicated great football artistry in 1996 African Champions Cup where he scored a great goal in the first leg of the final match against Zamalek of Egypt in Ibadan with a free kick. Waoooooohhh!, I just don’t know what to say than to wish him to rest in peace” Ojomu prayed.

“Also expressing his sadness is the Ibadan based journalist and National Media Officer of the club, Sunday Agunbiade, “I cherished his sense of humour and friendship throughout my interactions with him. He served the Ibadan Soccer Warlords conscientiously and won laurrels. He defended the entire nation during the nation’s cup qualifier in 1991 for the Super Eagles and was part of the Super Eagles squad at Senegal ’92. To me, It’s a monumental loss and we have truly lost an hero here in Ibadan, Adieu Ajibade Babalade, ” Agunbiade sobbed.

The foremost Supporter’s Club prayed that God grants him eternal rest and forgive his sins. “May the Lord give his family and love ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” Ogunfuwa prayed.

PR/Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

Ajibade Babalade’s Death, Untimely, Painful – 3SC

By Web News 824

The entire Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan family mourns the departure to a journey of no return of our former player and Team Manager Ajibade Babalade.

According to the media officer of the club, Tosin Omojola “The news of Kunde’s death was shocking and unbelievable

“”The exit of Ajjbade is untimely and too painful for us, considering the fact that he was bubbling with life before the sad development occurred.

“Kunde contributed his own quota to making Shooting Stars a team to reckon with both in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“We recall his contributions during the 1996 campaign in the African Champions Cup where he scored a great goal in the first leg of the final match against Zamalek of Egypt in Ibadan.

“We cannot also forget his role in helping the team gain promotion to the topflight in 2003,  displaying a high level of commitment on the pitch, alongside Dimeji Lawal, in the midst of young players.

“He was named the club’ s Team Manager in 2017, a position he adequately held before his exit from the club.

“This is a monumental loss, not only to Shooting Stars but to the entire football fraternity in Nigeria.

“We pray that God grants him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear this heavy loss”.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of 3SC, Rasheed Balogun found it hard to speak when the news of Ajibade Babalade’s death was broken to him.

“I am dumbfounded, I don’t know what to say because I can’t understand this,” said Balogun who was close to tears while trying to comment.

Olaolu Fawole