Former Footballer, Sol Bamba D!es At 39 After Falling Ill

Sol Bamba, a former Cardiff City captain and Ivorian defender, died at the age of 39.

The former Ivory Coast international, who has previously played for Leicester City, Leeds United, and Middlesbrough, became ill ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday and was rushed to the hospital.

Adanaspor, the Turkish top-flight club where Bamba had been the head coach since the summer, confirmed his death on Saturday evening.

In a statement, Adanaspor said: “Our Technical Director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the Manisa Football Club match played yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there. Our condolences to his family and our community.”

Cardiff posted a heartfelt tribute which read: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of Club legend, Sol Bamba. As a player and coach, Sol’s impact on our football club was immeasurable.

“He was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol.”

Leeds expressed their condolences by saying: “Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts.”

Middlesbrough also posted on social media: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with Sol’s family and friends at this time.”

Another of his former clubs, Trabzonspor, added: “We have learned with deep sorrow the passing of Adanaspor coach Sol Bamba, who wore our jersey between 2012-2014. May God have mercy on him and we offer our condolences to his family and all his loved ones.”

Under Neil Warnock, Bamba was a key member of the Cardiff team that was promoted to the Premier League in 2018 and went on to captain the team. After signing with the Bluebirds in 2016, the center-back played in 112 games over the course of five seasons.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2021. After four months, he declared himself cancer-free. Later that year, he rejoined Warnock at Middlesbrough, and the two of them spent the next eighteen months in the northeast.

Following his retirement, Bamba concentrated on his coaching profession and went back to Cardiff in 2023 to work as Sabri Lamouchi’s assistant manager. He signed with Turkish team Adanaspor over the summer. Adanaspor placed 14th in the previous Super Lig season.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli