The world football governing body, Fifa, through President Gianni Infantino, has expressed its deep condolences to the Sierra Leone Football Association and the football fraternity over the passing of icon Lamin Junior Tumbu Conteh died aged 46 on Thursday after a short illness. 

The national icon started his club career with Old Edwardians before moving to Europe to join Beerschot VAC in Belgium in 1992.

“On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Sierra Leone Football Association and, most importantly, to Lamin’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you. We hope that, in some way, our words of support may help bring a little peace and solace in this time of sadness.”

Fifa described the late maestro as Sierra Leone’s icon who played in Belgium, Germany, Portugal, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

“His Personality, his loyalty and human qualities will not be forgotten and will be truly missed.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority, NSA, say in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Football Association and the rest of the sporting fraternity, they will accord the national legend a befitting burial.

Photo: The late Lamin Conteh (C) of the United Arab Emirates’ al-Wahda club fights for the ball with Faisal al-Rifai (R) and Bader al-Kandari (L) of the al-Kuwait club during their 21st Asian Club Championship quarter-final for West Asia in Abu Dhabi 08 February 2002.

Fifa mourns loss of Sierra Leone great Lamin Conteh @fifamedia @FIFAcom @football_sierra @CAF_Online @CAF_Media #Salonetweets #SierraLeone #SaloneTwitter @bittar32 @EndTigers @keikamara @bakayoko_a @kbeerschotva pic.twitter.com/q2yqxqgC22

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 7, 2022

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the writer Alie Bittar on @bittar32 Contact bi****@ol*.net