Idris Malikawa, media officer of relegated Nigeria Professional Football League side, Kano Pillars, has expressed shock over the death of the club’s former striker, Bello Kofarmata, The PUNCH reports.
According to Malikawa, the striker, a member of the Flying Eagles squad at the Canada 2007 U-20 World Cup, died Tuesday night at the age of 34, after a brief illness in his hometown Kofarmata in Kano State.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the club’s media officer said the Sai Masu Gida, as Pillars are fondly called, will forever remember the late one-cap Super Eagles striker.
“It is not easy losing a young player, especially someone who contributed a lot to the success of the club,” he said.
“I remember vividly in 2008, Bello was part of the squad that won the club’s first NPFL title. We will miss him, he will forever be a part of this club. He was also part of the club’s successes on the continent when we reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. There is no way to describe the feeling of losing such a player like him.”
Malikawa added, “He didn’t only make his mark at the club level, he also did at the national level where he played at the U-20 and U-23 levels. He was also invited to the Eagles squad for CHAN. He will be remembered for his discipline.
“He was from a football family and he stayed humble. That’s why the club honoured him and will be there for his burial immediately the brother called me.”
Kofarmata joined Pillars in 2007 and helped the club win the 2007/08 Nigerian Premier League title with his 11 goals. He was also the league’s leading scorer that season.
He also played for Heartland, Elkanemi Warriors and a stint abroad with Norway’s IK Start.
He played one match for the Super Eagles, the 5-2 friendly victory over DR Congo in Abuja in March 2010.
