OYO FA MOURN LATE FOOTBALL REFEREE RAFIU KAZEEM

By Oluseyi Adedire

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The Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA) have expressed shock over the death one of the Nigeria finest Football Referees Rafiu Kazeem Opeyemi, who tragically passed away after being involved in a fatal accident on Saturday evening at Osu, Ilesha, Osun State.

Late Kazeem, a member of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Oyo State Referees Council and chairman, Ona Ara Referees Society was said to be returning from a fitness test in Abuja alongside other four Nigeria Referees. While others sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatments, the deceased could not.

Reacting to the sad incident, Chairman, Oyo State Football Association HRM Oba James Odeniran expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death that occurred yesterday (Saturday).

In a condolence statement signed by the association secretary, Mr Kehinde Adebayo Ojelowo, the association described Late Rafiu Kazeem Opeyemi as a young man with his life ahead of him, someone doing so well in his profession and in his avocation, and had worked hard to earn the respect of colleagues and acquaintances in Oyo state and Nigeria.

"We are in deep shock and sorrow over the death of Kazeem. This is a death that bites the heart real tight because he was a young man with his life ahead of him. He was no doubt one of the most dedicated and gifted football referees around. He had a real passion for the profession, but unfortunately, Kazeem is no more with us."

“We pray that Almighty God will forgive him his sins and give him eternal rest, and also grant those he has left behind including his immediate family, friends and relations, members of the refereeing family, the NRA and Nigeria Football as a whole the fortitude to bear this big loss.” the statement read.

The Oyo State Football Association, however, commiserated with the family of late Kazeem Opeyemi and wish the trio of Ajadi Odunayo, Oni Ebenezer Segun and Amos a member of the association from Ogun State quick recovery.