The president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Melvin Amaju Pinnick has joined the country’s soccer community in mourning over the death of former national team defender, Yisa Sofoluwe.
Megasportsaena.com reports that, in an emotion laden message upon receiving news of Sofoluwe’s passing, Pinnick expressed utter shock and sorrow at the ex-international’s death on Tuesday night at the age of 53, few days after being diagnosed of cerebral atrophy.
While noting that the sad event occurred few days after the passing former goalkeeper and coach, Joe Erico, Pinnick added that he was shocked to hear that Sofoluwe gave up the ghost only few days after a solid process had been set in motion to garner funds for surgery that was meant to revive ‘The Dean of Defence.’
Pinnick lamented: “It is another sad, sad day. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were lamenting the loss of former goalkeeper and coach, Joseph Erico. Now, Yisa Sofoluwe. That man was a gem in the green-and-white and did his very best for Nigeria whenever he was on the field.
“Personally, I have sweet memories of Yisa Sofoluwe. It is more painful that he left just when help was coming to him from everywhere and the process was on to rectify his medical condition. We loved him but God loves him more. May his soul rest in peace.”
The NFF’s communications department added in their tribute: “Lithe, versatile, unclamorous and ever-alert, Yisa Sofoluwe first wore Nigeria’s colours during the qualifying series for the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA U20 World Cup) in Mexico.
“He was a key figure in that squad that became the first Nigeria team to feature at a FIFA-organised championship. The Flying Eagles defeated old Soviet Union, lost to Brazil and drew with The Netherlands, narrowly failing to make the knockout stage.
“The same year, he won his first senior cap, in a 1984 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Morocco in Benin City, which ended scoreless. The return leg in Rabat also ended scoreless, but Nigeria triumphed 4-3 after penalty shootout to qualify for Cote d’Ivoire ’84.
“Sofoluwe played a notable role in the Green Eagles squad that finished as runner-up in Cote d’Ivoire, winning Nigeria’s first silver medal at the AFCON, and was also a force in the team that repeated the feat in Morocco four years later.
“He won a total of 40 caps for the Nigeria senior team, scoring one goal – in a 1986 World Cup qualifying match against Kenya in Lagos on April 20, 1985 that Nigeria won 3-1. The hardworking defender played his club football for ITT FC, Abiola Babes FC, Shooting Stars FC and Gateway FC.”
