- Souleymane Bamba, former Cardiff City player and current Adanaspor manager, has passed away after falling ill
- Bamba had been battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 2021, despite an initial diagnosis of being cancer-free
- His wife, Chloe, confirmed his passing and shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram
Former Cardiff City defender Souleymane Bamba, who had recently taken on the role of manager at Turkish 1 Lig side Adanaspor, passed away following a sudden illness.
Bamba, who fell ill before his team’s match against Manisa BBSK on Friday, August 30, was rushed to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital but sadly could not be saved from the claws of death, the club announced.
Adanaspor released a statement on Saturday night, August 31 saying,
“Our Technical Director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the Manisa Football Club match played yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there. Our condolences to his family and our community.”
Bamba, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career that included stints at PSG, Leeds United, and Leicester City, became a loved figure among Cardiff City supporters after joining the club in 2016. His first season saw him play a pivotal role in securing promotion to the Premier League.
He made 112 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Bluebirds before transitioning into coaching, returning as an assistant to former Cardiff City manager Sabri Lamouchi in 2023.
In 2021, Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma while playing for Cardiff but was declared cancer-free a few months later, allowing him to return to the pitch.
However, his wife, Chloe, recently confirmed that Bamba had been quietly battling the disease again and tragically lost his fight.
Bamba’s final post on X paid homage to Sven-Goran Eriksson, under whom he briefly played at Leicester City, stating, "He was not just an exquisite person, but he was also the best coach I've ever had, inspiring my journey as a player but also as a manager."
Chloe Bamba expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, saying "Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August. These years have been indescribably difficult but we still managed to find joy and laughter in it. I’ve experienced my worst days but also some of my best. Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made sure of that."
8 amazing facts you didn't know about Olympian Nojim Maiyegun
Previously, TheRadar reported that Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist, passed away at 83 on Monday morning in Vienna, Austria.
Born on 17 February 1941 in Lagos, Maiyegun's historic accomplishment as Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist remains a defining moment in the nation’s sporting history.
It marked the end of Nigeria’s 12-year drought at the Olympics, as Maiyegun became the first athlete to bring home a medal since the country began participating in the Games in 1952.
Close confidant Rudolfine F. Soultan confirmed his death in a heartfelt Facebook post.
