Soccer enthusiasts in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have paid tributes to the late football legend, Diego Maradona.

Isaac Afolabi of our Sports Desk spoke with fans of the round leather game on their feelings for the icon.

The football family globally were left in shock when the news of the demise of football legend, Diego Armando Maradona filtered in after suffering from a heart attack.

Speaking about the man described as the god of soccer, a sports journalist, Mr Fisayo Dairo said Maradona brought so much glamour to the round leather game and was journalists’ delight adding that he left a big vacuum.

A football coach in Akure, Stephen Folorunsho while describing Diego as a skillful footballer applauded Napoli for all accolades done him and suggested that FIFA and other sports establishment immortalise him as well.

Recounting his experience with the football legend while playing football in Italy, former Torino and Bologna of Italy player, Prince Mauroof Adams said Maradona never discriminated and was loved by all Italians irrespective of their clubs.

Diego Maradona despite his height was a master in the field and scored a controversial goal in the 1986 world cup dubbed the “hand of God”, went ahead to score another goal with a solo effort against England which won “The goal of the century” in 2002 on FIFA website.

He played for several teams like Barcelona FC and Sevilla FC both of Spain, Napoli of Italy and Boca Juniors in his native Argentina.

Maradona also played at the world cup for his country and coached his national team to the Olympics and World Cup with a win against Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup in America.

He was born on 30th October 1960 and died on the 25th of November 2020 at the age of 60.

Isaac Afolabi