ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has revealed how Ajibade Babalade, 48, was rejected by a private hospital before he died.
Babalade, former Super Eagles defender, died on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State, from cardiac arrest.
However, his former teammate at the AFCON 1992, Shorunmu revealed ‘Kunde’ as Babalade was fondly called, died at the gate of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Shorunmu told reporters that a private hospital declined to treat the former Shooting Stars captain before his demise.
“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.
“I went to the mosque for Jumat service on Friday afternoon, so I switched off my phone.
“Immediately I put it back on, I got a message from Ajibade’s in-law that I needed to be at his place.
“So, I went with my wife, but on our arrival, the (Babalade’s) family broke the news to me now.
“This is someone whom I spoke with two days ago (on Wednesday), when he celebrated his son’s birthday.
“I was told he had a cardiac arrest in the (Friday) morning.
“I had to console his wife and kids, who are in America, over the demise of their father.
“He died at the UCH gate,” Shorunmu confirmed with a tinge of regret.
The hard-as-nails retired defender was a squad member of the Super Eagles that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
Babalade began his professional club career at Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1990, before several stints at 3SC, helping the Oluyole Warriors reach the final of the CAF Champions League in 1996.
He played professionally abroad at Ivoirian side, African Sports, Anyang LG Cheetahs (Korea), SK Sturm Graz (Austria) and Indian club Mohun Bagan AC.
On October 17, 2008 Babalade was named manager of 3SC.