Lamentations are still trailing the untimely death of FC Ebedei of Sagamu’s former coach, Bello Rahman (aka Baba Ray), which sad and most shocking incident took place on Wednesday, megasportsarena.com reports.
Sources close to the Agege, Lagos-based renowned youth football coach, who produced the like of former Super Eagles invitee, Sylvester Emeka Igbonu and ex-Flying Eagles captain, Ramon Azeez, said he died few days after recovering from a brief illness, much to the dismay of his admirers.
In report in February 2016 highlighted how ‘Baba Ray’ began coaching since 1997 at the grassroots, then acquired his first coaching certificate in 1999 at National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos.
He stated back then in an interview: “I went into coaching because I felt a lot of boys in my neighborhood were playing football without direction and I was convinced I have what it takes to guide them.
“(Among my products are) Rasak Omotoyossi, Alabi Rasheed, Akeem Agbetu, Slyvester Igbonu, Izunna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ibrahim, Jude Nworuh, Ramon Azeez, Ganiu Ogungbe, Lanre Runsewe, Kingsley Udoh, Azeez Shobola, Alimi Jamiu, Femi Ajilore, Ifeanyi Emeghara, Olumide Adaramola, Adio Yusuf, Babatunde Solomon.
“Sly is like a son to me. His own discovery was like a fairy tale. I went to play football in my neighborhood in 2005, in my days with Fc Ebedei.
“My wife just put to bed and the following day was the naming. There was an impending fight on the field and behold Sly was involved.
“I took the courage to call and speak with him and he listened to me and agreed to follow me to camp in Sagamu.
“He was such a young skinny boy back then and together with my boss Churchhill Oliseh.
“We did our best and he was lucky to be picked when our sister team in Denmark, FC Midtjyulland came the following year in 2006.
“He spent nine seasons with FC Midtjyulland before moving to the Russia league with UFA FC.
“One thing about him though is that he was a fighter on the field; he never gives up, and he’s highly versatile.
“After working here and there, for over a decade, notable of which were Gateway Football Club and my two stints at FC Ebedei.
“I decided to work for myself by starting an Academy with some other friends who share my passion for promoting young footballers.
“I am the President of Prodigy Football Academy, with Fatai Akande, our technical director, Gafar Mohammed, our public relations man, Ezekiel Balogun and Lumumba Okugbawa.
“We have quite a number of fledging talents in our fold at the moment, players we hope to see to the top.”