Dies of cerebral atrophy at LUTH
Former Super Eagles’ Defender Yisa Sofoluwe died on Tuesday night at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He was aged 53
Born on December 28, 1967, Sofoluwe was nicknamed ‘Dean of Defence’ by the late Radio Nigeria ace Commentator, Ernest Okonkwo for his defensive skills and comportment when confronting an opposing player.
Reports said the ex-Nigerian international died from the cerebral atrophy ailment that took him to the ICU of LUTH. Cerebral atrophy refers to the progressive loss of brain cells over time. Atrophy refers to a decreased size or wasting away of any part of the body.
Cerebral atrophy can happen in either the entire brain or in just one part of the brain and can lead to decreased brain mass and loss of neurological function.
According to family sources, Sofoluwe was waiting to undergo surgery before he passed on to the great beyond late Tuesday night.
His former colleague in the senior national team, Waidi Akanni, who led the group rallying support for the ailing footballer, confirmed the shocking incident.
A distressed Akanni said on telephone; “We lost him. Yisa Sofoluwe could not wait for help to come for his surgery before he died on Tuesday evening.”
Sofoluwe was diagnosed for mild cerebral atrophy at the Prince and Life Medical Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos. He was then moved to LUTH last week Friday, February, 5, 2021 after his medical condition deteriorated.
Early on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, is said to have initiated moves to save Sofoluwe’s life by contacting a sitting state Governor to underwrite his bill for the medical treatment.
Reports also confirmed that Dare sent some funds through another ex-international to support the late defender’s medical bill.
With 40 caps for the Super Eagles, late Sofoluwe had one international goal to his credit holding sway at the right back position between 1983 and 1988.
Sofoluwe was an integral part of the Eagles’ squad that reached the 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted by Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco respectively.
At club level, he played for 3SC of Ibadan between 1982 and 1983, winning the domestic league title. His club career also saw him featuring for ITT, a Lagos amateur club from where he was invited to the Flying Eagles in 1983.
On his return from the Under-20 World Cup held in Mexico, Sofoluwe moved to the defunct Abiola Babes Football Club of Abeokuta where he spent four seasons and won the FA Cup twice in 1985 and 1987 before heading out to Belgium.
After a brief sojourn in Europe, Sofoluwe returned to the country where he plied his trade with Gateway United Football Club of Abeokuta and later became their coach.
