The cold hands of death once again visited Nigerian football yesterday, claiming the life of Kwara United coach Kafaru Alabi.
Alabi had been receiving treatment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where he was on admission. Sources said the coach died of complications arising from a heart problem.
Kwara State Sports Commissioner, Zakari Mohammed expressed shock at the news saying the nation has lost another great coach.
“It is sad news for Kwara fans and Nigerian football in general. We expected him to leave hospital and continue working with the team when suddenly the news was broken. We shall definitely miss him.”
Alabi joined Kwara during the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup campaign, taking over from the then School of Excellence Director, Clemens Westerhorf, who was in charge for a few weeks.
But Alabi was constantly at odds with the club’s fans. The club lost out in the continental campaign and has struggled to rank among the best in the current league season.
Before joining the club, he was El-Kanemi coach and left after their relegation at the close of last season. Earlier, he was with Shooting Stars in Ibadan. The club management relegated his position to an assistant coach when German coach Siegfried Sanzio Bahner was hired. Kafaru would later leave the club.
The Offa-born coach will be remembered for his tip-tap style of football which earned him rave reviews during his days with Shootings Stars and El-Kanemi. But the style did not bring the excitement Kwara fans expected.
The club’s midweek match today against Kano Pillars has been postponed.
Alabi is survived by a wife and five children.
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