Former Cheetahs of Benin Republic star striker Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39.
Razak Omotoyossi’s death was confirmed by his former Swedish club Helsingborgs.
“Helsingborgs IF is in mourning,” the club said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
“Rest in peace, Razak.”
Born in Lagos, Omotoyossi started his career in Nigeria, but was nearly derailed when the Nigeria Football Federation slammed a five-year ban on him for allegedly assaulting a referee during a Premier League game between his club, Sunshine Stars and visiting Enyimba.
Omotoyossi had though already left to play in neighbouring Benin and later switched to Beninese citizenship the same year.
He started his professional career in Benin with JS Pobè and also featured for clubs like FC Sheriff, Al Nassr, Metz, Zamalek and GAIS.
Omotoyossi represented Benin at under-20 and full international levels.
On 10 June 2005, he scored in the Group A 1–1 draw with Australia at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup World Youth in the Netherlands. It was Benin’s first-ever goal at a world finals.
He played in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring one goal in qualification – in the 4–1 home win over Togo as Benin finished second in Group 9 to qualify for the finals in Ghana.
Then in the finals, where Benin finished last place in Group B he scored a late consolation goal as Benin lost 4–1 to Ivory Coast.
He scored eight goals in eight matches in 2008 for the national team, making him joint top scorer in the African World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers with Samuel Eto’o.
He scored six goals in the second round of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as Benin finished top in Group 3.
His first two goals came on 8 June 2008 in the 4–1 win over Uganda. Six days later he scored in the 2–0 away win over Niger Republic.
On 7 September, his two goals in the 3–2 home win over Angola helped book Benin their place in the Third round. His sixth goal came in the final group game, a 2–1 away defeat to Uganda on 12 October.
In the third and final qualification round, he scored twice as Benin finished second in Group D, just missing out on qualifying for the World Cup finals.
He scored Benin’s winning goal against Sudan on 5 June 2009, and scored a penalty in their final group game, a 2–1 away win over Sudan.
By James Agberebi
