TheCable

Yisa Sofoluwe, former Super Eagles defender, has passed on.

The former Abiola Babes player breathed his last at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Tuesday night from mild cerebral atrophy — a brain ailment.

A close family friend to the late footballer confirmed the death of the “Dean of defence” to TheCable on Wednesday morning.

“It’s so sad that we lost him (Yisa Sofoluwe) last night,” the family friend told TheCable.

The 53-year-old won 40 caps and scored one goal for Nigeria.

He was the Super Eagles regular left-back between 1983 and 1988. He played at the 1984 and 1988 African Nations Cups (AFCON).

He won two domestic league titles with Shooting Stars of Ibadan (1981-83). He also won two FA Cups with Abiola Babes in 1985 and 1987.

Tributes have begun to pour in for the deceased as words of his death spread.

“We are devastated to hear of the passing away of former Green Eagles Defender Yisa Sofoluwe after a brief illness on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and football community in Nigeria. May his soul Rest In Peace,” the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wrote.

We are devastated to hear of the passing away of former Green Eagles Defender Yisa Sofoluwe after a brief illness on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and football community in Nigeria. May his soul Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/pIAymd3LfQ

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) February 10, 2021

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When you hear/read the nickname 'Dean of Defence' as Yisa Sofoluwe was known as you might start to think he was like Vidic/Ramos kind. Nothing can be further from the truth.

Sofoluwe was as elegant and as silky as it was possible to be at full back. He was just so good really

— Calvin 'Emeka Onwuka (@CalvinEmeka) February 10, 2021

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