Isyaku Ibrahim
It was with deep heart and sorrow we heard the demise of master of free kick Alhaji Ayo Ogunlana in Kaduna the former capital of northern Nigeria
Rightly speaking for those that knew him during his early football days at defunct DIC Bees of Kaduna he was a midfield maestro who could dribble past defenders no matter how good they were
One could remember way back in 1983 Challenge Cup final in Lagos when Alhaji Ayo with co stars like Dahiru Sadi,Gidi Muhammed,Tunde Black,Ali Nayara,Augustine Eke,Godwin Ogenyi and others took the world by storm as they denied highly favourites Rangers of Enugu breathing space until it took them to penalty kicks
When late Ahmed Aruwa bought the team Alhaji Ayo Ogunlana together with Dahiru Sadi popularly called Tsari Mabo and Salisu D Black held the engine room of the team solidly hence the name of team became so ubiquitous within the country and beyond
The late footballer who played for the country’s national team diligently was at later stage in Ibadan where he laced his boot for defunct Leventis United from where he moved to Maiduguri and played for Elkanemi Warriors
A devout Muslim, Alhaji Ayo Ogunlana when he bade farewell to football he became a car dealer a profession he enjoyed his life and that of his family for years before answering the divine call
Ayo Ogunlana who died on Friday would surely be missed by not only his playing mates in Kaduna like Dahiru Sadi,Ali Nayara,D.K, Daniel Omokachi Lawal Garba Tijjani Arusa and the rest but also other soccer stars across the country due to his gentleness and calmness
We prayed as he passed the first array of questions which one could undergo in the grave as he died on the holy day of Friday, we pray he would also scaled through other intricacies in view of his spectacular attributes
Certainly death is inevitable and we are pretty sure God in his infinite mercy and compassion will sweep his abnormalities and make paradise his final abode
Knowingly or unknowingly,one must test the pain of death
