Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba dies at 39

The former defender died on Saturday in Turkey.

BolaNews Reporter Published September 1, 2024

2 Min Read

Ivory Coast defender Souleman Bamba poses before their African Cup of Nations (CAN 2012) semi-final football match Mali vs Ivory Coast on February 8, 2012 at the Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville. Ivory Coast won 1-0. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

(Reuters) – Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba has died aged 39, Turkish club Adanaspor, where he was technical director, announced on Saturday.

Bamba played for Cardiff City, Leeds United and Leicester City. He also had spells with Italian side Palermo, Scottish clubs Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, and Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Zambia’s captain Christopher Katongo is tackled by Ivory Coast defender Souleman Bamba (R) during their African Cup of Nations (CAN 2012) final football match Zambia vs Ivory Coast on February 12, 2012 at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

He made 46 appearances for his country, scoring one goal and retired in January 2023 and went into coaching, serving as assistant manager at Cardiff before taking up the role of technical director at Adanaspor.

“Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before yesterday’s match against Manisa Football Club, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and sadly lost his battle for life,” Adanaspor said in a statement.

“Our condolences go out to his family and our community.”

Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy.