OBITUARY
Hayatou’s body still in Paris, tributes continue to flow
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, PARIS
The remains of Issa Hayatou, the former CAF president, is still in Paris where he died last week, just a day to his 78th birthday.
However, tributes are still flowing over the man who presided over CAF for 29 years, the longest tenure ever in the 67 year historry of the football governing body.
One of such tributes is from Dr. Bolaji Ojooba, a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.
He described Hayatou’s death as a big loss to football and humanity, adding that the Cameroonian would forever be remembered for the development of African football.
“The news his death came as a shock because I was actually looking forward to send him my felicitations on his birthday,” Ojo-Oba, remarked.
.“ You can just imagine how deeply shocked I was when I heard about his passing. But having said that, I’m consoled that President Hayatou did his very best for African football. “His tenure witnessed monumental development across the continent and we can never forget his good ideals.”
Speaking further, Ojo-Oba noted that Hayatou’s 29-year reign as CAF President witnessed the meteoric rise of African football , adding posterity would forever be kind to the erstwhile Interim FIFA President.
“ I think to say Hayatou was ‘a true servant of African football’ is an obvious statement because he devoted all his life to the growth and development of African football, “ the former Oyo State ‘s Commissioner for Sports continued.“ For many of us who had the opportunity of working closely with him, we know what Hayatou stood for.
“ He was like the proverbial rock of Gibraltar who stood firmly for the cause of African football and I think without his well-documented efforts, African football would not be where it’s today.
“ Of course his death is painful to everyone that had a close affinity with him but frankly we must be consoled that he gave all his best towards emancipation of African football.”
Ojo-Oba added:“ I want to use this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to President Hayatou’s immediate family as well as the Cameroonian football community and the whole of African football community.
Also, on behalf of African Football and Other Sports Supporters’ Union (AFOSSU), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo who is the President General of the body also commiserated with the family of Hayatou who in his lifetime was a patron of the body.
Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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