By Ghazali Ibrahim
African football has been thrown into mourning following the death of Beninese international striker, Razak Omotoyossi, at the age of 39.
He would have turned 40 in October.
Authorities in Benin confirmed his passing on Tuesday, though the cause of death has not been made public.
Omotoyossi, born in Nigeria but proudly representing Benin, became one of the country’s most iconic footballers.
With 55 caps and 21 goals, he sits among the nation’s all-time top scorers.
His unforgettable moment came during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he scored all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo — finishing as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o. That performance etched his name into African football history.
At club level, Omotoyossi’s career took him across continents. From Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he played in the UEFA Champions League to France’s FC Metz, and further stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Moldova, he built a reputation as a hard-working forward with a sharp eye for goal.
Widely admired for choosing to represent Benin over his country of birth, he came to embody determination, loyalty, and national pride.
He got married to Nigerian actress, Bose Alao with whom they had four daughters, though the union was bedevilled by allegations of domestic violence.
He was also a close friend of Super Eagles legend, Obafemi Martins with whom he shared a striking resemblance.
Tributes have since poured in from across the African football community, remembering him as more than a prolific striker.
For many, Omotoyossi was a symbol of perseverance and belief, a player who inspired both teammates and fans.
