Babalade Ajibade, ex-Super Eagles strongman, is dead

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A former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade has been reported dead in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after a bout of cardiac arrest, aged 48.

The PUNCH  reported that Babalade died while being rushed to the University College Hospital in Ibadan on Friday.

He is survived by a wife and three kids, who are all based in the US.

The retired defender was a squad member of the Eagles that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Ex-Eagles goalkeeper and Babalade’s Senegal ’92 teammate Ike Shorunmu confirmed the death of the Lagos-born ex-footballer.

Shorunmu said he was informed of his friend’s death in the afternoon, after attending Jumat service.

He said: “I went to the mosque for Jumat service this afternoon (Friday), so I switched off my phone.

“Immediately I put it back on, I got a message from Ajibade’s in-law that I needed to be at his place.

“So, I went with my wife, but on our arrival, the (Babalade’s) family broke the news to me.

“I’m very sad as we speak now. This is someone whom I spoke with two days ago (on Wednesday), when he celebrated his son’s birthday.

“I was told he had cardiac arrest in the (Friday) morning.

“I had to console his wife and kids, who are based in America, over the demise of their father. He died at the UCH gate.”

Babalade began his professional club career at Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1990, before several stints at 3SC.

He helped 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.

On October 17, 2008, Babalade was named manager of 3SC.

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