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Ajibade Babalade: fans continue to pay their respect

Writer's picture: adeola bankoleadeola bankole

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Ex-Super Eagles defender Ajibade Babalade who died of cardiac arrest on September 4 at the young age of 48.


The well built middle-ager was the team manager of Nigeria National League outfit Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) before his demise.


Babalade began his professional club career at Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1990, before several stints at 3SC, helping the Oluyole Warriors reach the final of the CAF Champions League in 1996.


He played professionally abroad at Ivoirian side, African Sports, Anyang LG Cheetahs (Korea), SK Sturm Graz (Austria) and Indian club Mohun Bagan AC.


The late Yoruba man accumulated 13 caps for Nigeria between 1990 and 98 having his most memorable period in the heart of the Super Eagles defence at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations where he contributed his quota to the team's bronze medal.


The shock announcement of his death at such a tender age took the soccer world by suprise with many still not able to take the news in.


"Wow! Aji; Rest in perfect peace . Great defender of 3SC,Ibadan and Super eagles of Nigeria," wrote one fan on Facebook.


Another fan wrote on an online discussion forum: "Oh Aji (as he was fondly called among the shooting stars fans then) is gone.


One of the stand out performer at Senegal ’92, he marshaled the defence like a rock then along side keshi and Reuben Agboola (the first Oyinbo to play for us).


He gave his all in that famous champions league final against Zamalek in Egypt, only for Abiodun Baruwa (omo Alhaja) to bundle our chances and allow the Egyptians back into the game.


Ajibade Babalade, you gave your all to your father land. May your soul rest in peace. So so sad," he concluded.


Fans are still showing respect on social media with their very many comments on feeds about the star.


Ajibade Babalade is survived by a wife and three children, who are all based in the United States of America.


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