Former player of English Premier League teams Leeds, Cardiff, and Middlesbrough, Ivorian Sol Bamba has passed away at the age of 39.
The man who had meanwhile become head coach at Adanaspor, a team playing in the second division of Turkey, a former key defender in the Premiership, has died after battling a relentless illness.
The Turkish club announced that Bamba's disease, first diagnosed in December 2020, a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, had recurred. This is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, which is the headquarters of the body's immune defense. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, some white blood cells, called lymphocytes, multiply uncontrollably and can form tumor masses in the body.
Although initially announcing that he had been cured, Souleymane Bamba felt unwell before the match against Manisa FK in the league. He retired from football in 2022 and became an assistant coach at his former team, Cardiff, before joining Adanaspor.
Leeds club posted a heartfelt message after the coach's death announcement: "Everyone at the club is devastated after learning this news. Condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace, Sol! You will always be in our hearts!"
"Souleymane Bamba, our head coach, fell ill before the match against Manisa and was taken to the University Hospital. Unfortunately, he lost the battle with the disease there. Condolences to his family and loved ones!" also stated Adana's press release.
Sol Bamba made 46 appearances for the Ivory Coast.
D.A.