Adefemi Olubayo: The dream dies

BY BEN EFE
Adefemi Olubayo’s untimely demise Monday in Greece, had the Nigerian football family questioning why should death snuff out the life of a promising young player?

Adefemi Olubayo

But like always when death stings with a deadly vengeance, questions like these are hard to comprehend. The answers are simply blowing in the wind and the football circles is left to mourn the painful end of Olubayo.

Since Monday, when word hit town that the player died in fatal auto crash, Greek and Nigeria Football officials, players and coaches have been pouring their heart felt condolences to the family of the player. And from all the out pouring of emotions, it was plain to see that Olubayo was a well loved young man. He was loved because of his humility and dedication to the game.

The towering defender took advantage of a one week break offered by the Greek Super League and was returning to Lagos, where he was born on August 13, 1985  to conclude arrangements for the next phase of his life when the incident occurred. His Fiancee simply known as Shade was waiting in Lagos to review their wedding plans, but the young lady was left devastated. She was moved from her place of resident into seclusion by family members.

Greek traffic police said Olubayo lost control of his car on a curve on the wet Engatia Highway, just outside Kavala. His vehicle struck the dividing bar on the highway and flipped over, landing on the opposite lane. The exact causes of the accident are being investigated by police.

Olubayo’s soccer odyssey began with Bendel Insurance of Benin in 2001. He moved later to Delta Force, it was from there he was plucked to national limelight when coach Samson Siasia invited him to the Flying Eagles in 2005. He was part of the team’s successful run at the African Youth Championships in Benin Republic and later the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Holland.

He was also in the heart of Siasia’s defence at the Beijing 2008 Olympics where the team, fought their way to the final and settled for silver. Iironically Olubayo and his teammates lost 1-0 to the same Argentina that denied them gold at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Olubayo was excited when Nigeria and Argentina were paired in group B of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He spoke of his determination to beat the Argentines to their own game, but the player was sadly omitted from the team by coaches in charge.

Olubayo moved to Europe in the 2005 season and starred for Isreali club Hapoel Jerusalem. He was later to team up with other clubs in the Isreali league where he spent three seasons. His somewhat nomadic career saw him moving to Rapid Bucherest in Romania and then on to Austria with SC Rheindorf Altach in 2009, he did not last a season there as he joined Franch second division side Boulogne, he made only 13 appearances there and he was off again to the Greece.

Olubayo seem to have found a home in Greek League with Skoda Xanthi which he joined only in the January transfer window. He made 24 appearances scoring two goals and life was getting better most especially with the assurance of regular football for club and country. Olubayo was home for the Nations Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and the international friendly against Kenya all in Abuja. Olubayo had played only five times for the senior national team.

Having settled his football career, the next move was to make a family and live a responsible life but that was not to be as Olubayo was prevented by death from living his dream.

“His death is a big blow to the nation and his family. I could remember the last time we played he was on the bench. He was a good player and a budding star who could have helped the Eagles’ cause in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers and the team in general,” said Eagles captain Joseph Yobo

Nigeria Football Federation president Aminu Maigari was momentarily dazed when the new hit him in South Africa where the Flying Eagles beat Ghana at the going African youth championship.

“This is devastating.  Why such a young and dedicated player? Why now? Oh, I can t say more,” lamented Maigari.

Eagles’ assistant coach Simon Kalika who has known the player from their Flying Eagles days stated that Olubayo was one discipline and dedicated player. “What can I say? It is sad. I have known Bayo for six years now from the Holland 2005 U_ 20 World Cup and I know he was a nice person. It was a tragedy and up till now I can’t believe Bayo is gone forever. We will surely miss him”, reacted Kalika.

Former Flying Eagles and Under-23 keeper Ambrose Vanzekin, who was Olubayo’s teammate at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, said that his loss is a big blow to Nigeria football.

“We were in the same team for the Olympics. He was always friendly and humble to everyone.
“His death is a big loss to Nigerian football because he was a very good player.”

Yobo added: “I feel for his family because it is his family that everybody should feel for now. I sincerely feel for his fiancee whom he was planning to marry. My condolences go to his family and friends because they are the ones who would feel Bayo’s death the most.”

NFF secretary-general Musa Amadu disclosed that the federation was keep tab on development with a view of playing a key role when the player’s remains is brought into the country for burial.

“He was a very committed player, It is sad that we have lost him. We are in touch with the family and the club in Greece. The NFF will be actively involved in his burrial.”