Former Flying Eagles and Stationery Stores defender Ebitimi Collins slumped and died on Wednesday in Lagos .
Family sources said the deceased , who was nicknamed Barbwire by fans , slumped in the early hours of Wednesday close to his house in Ikorodu. He was aged 54 .
Collins slumped and died around 5 . 30 am on Wednesday . He had slept out but was coming home to pick up his hospital card because he had an appointment with his doctor , when he slumped a few metres to his house , ” Olabisi Olawepo, a close family friend said .
It was learnt that Collins had been ill for a while but had recuperated before he died on Wednesday .
His younger brother, Fabian , said the family would announce the burial of the fallen star in due course .
“ We will have to take his corpse down to our family house in Surulere . After then , we will announce the burial arrangements , ” Fabian told our correspondent .
Collins began his career at Green Beret in the early 80 s , before playing for Hoest of Otta and Concord of Abeokuta . He joined Stores in the 90 s and went on to play for Enugu Rangers before returning to Stores , where he ended his playing career.
Collins was a hard – as – nails , no -nonsense defender, who was a nightmare to strikers of his era .
Meanwhile , several players of Collins ’ generation have mourned him .
“ Though he was feared because of his hard approach , he was a nice man on -and – off the pitch . He was one of my best friends at Stores and when we left the club . He was a fantastic individual , ” ex – Stores captain Taiwo Oloyede stated .
Ex- 3 SC player Shola Akinwale wrote on WhatsApp, “ May the soul of Ebitimi Collins aka “ Babuwaya” Rest in Peace. I played against him severally in the early 90 s . 3 SC vs Stationery Stores . ”
Source PUNCH .
