Former Ivorian international Sol Bamba has died after a brief illness.
Adanaspor, where he served as Sporting Director before he died, confirmed that all efforts to save his life before their game yesterday were unsuccessful.
“Our technical director, Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before yesterday’s match against Manisa Football Club, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and sadly lost his battle for life,” Adanaspor said in a statement.
“Our condolences go out to his family and our community.”
A few clubs he played for have paid their condolences to Sol, who died at age 39 in Turkey:
Cardiff City wrote:
“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 United shared:
“Everyone at Leeds United is devastated to learn of the news that former 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.
It is with the deepest sadness that we have learned this evening about the passing of Club legend, Sol Bamba.”
Middlesbrough asserted:
“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.
RIP, Sol.”
In 2021, Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began chemotherapy treatment. Four months later, in May 2021, he announced that he was cancer-free.
He made 46 appearances for his country, scoring one goal. He retired in January 2023 and went into coaching, serving as assistant manager at Cardiff before taking up the role of technical director at Adanaspor.
Aside from the earliest clubs to have paid their respects to him, Bamba played for Leicester, PSG, Palermo, Trabzonspor, Hibernian, and Dunfermline Athletic, with most of his appearances coming from Cardiff City.
