Former Super Eagles defender Ajibade Babalade died yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after suffering cardiac arrest.
Babalade, 48, was reported to have died while being rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, in the afternoon.
Babalade who has been based in Ibadan since he retired did not survive a cardiac arrest according to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“We are sad to announce the shock demise of former Super Eagles defender Ajibade Babalade,” the NFF said.
“Babalade died of cardiac arrest today in Ibadan. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace. Our prayers are with his family.”
He was 48 and survived by a wife and three kids who are all based in the United States.
According the reports gathered, former Super Eagles teammate Ike Shorunmu revealed that a private hospital in Ibadan rejected the former defender when he was brought in on Friday, September 4, 2020.
“The first hospital he was rushed to in Ibadan, he was rejected by the doctors and referred to the University College Hospital. But on his arrival at the UCH premises, he gave up the ghost at the gate. May his soul rest in peace,” Shorumu Said
Babalade made his Super Eagles debut in 1990 and was part of the squad that finished third at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Senegal.
He made 13 appearances for Nigeria’s senior national team before he retired in 1998.
(C) Control TV 2020.
