Sports

Former Flying Eagles defender slumps and dies

Published

6 years ago

September 27, 2018

Former Flying Eagles and Stationery Stores defender Ebitimi Collins slumped and died on Wednesday in Lagos .
Family sources said the deceased, who was nicknamed Barbwire by fans , slumped in the early hours of Wednesday close to his house in Ikorodu . He was aged 54 .

“ Collins slumped and died around 5 . 30 am on Wednesday . He had slept out but was coming home to pick up his hospital card because he had an appointment with his doctor , when he slumped a few metres to his house , ” Olabisi Olawepo , a close family friend said.

It was learnt that Collins had been ill for a while but had recuperated before he died on Wednesday .

His younger brother, Fabian , said the family would announce the burial of the fallen star in due course .

“We will have to take his corpse down to our family house in Surulere . After then , we will announce the burial arrangements , ” Fabian told our correspondent.

Collins began his career at Green Beret in the early 80 s , before playing for Hoest of Otta and Concord of Abeokuta . He joined Stores in the 90 s and went on to play for Enugu Rangers before returning to Stores , where he ended his playing career .

Collins was a hard -as -nails , no -nonsense defender , who was a nightmare to strikers of his era .

Meanwhile , several players of Collins ’ generation have mourned him .

“Though he was feared because of his hard approach , he was a nice man on-and -off the pitch . He was one of my best friends at Stores and when we left the club . He was a fantastic individual , ” ex -Stores captain Taiwo Oloyede stated .

Ex -3 SC player Shola Akinwale wrote on WhatsApp , “ May the soul of Ebitimi Collins aka “ Babuwaya ” Rest in Peace . I played against him severally in the early 90 s. 3 SC vs Stationery Stores . ”