How Nigerian Authorities Banished Razak Omotoyossi for 5 Years, Before His Switch to Benin
- Razak Omotoyossi passed away on August 19, 2025, at the age of 39, leaving a legacy as a Benin national team legend
- His early career was nearly derailed by a controversial five-year ban from the Nigeria Football Federation for allegedly assaulting a referee
- He decried poor treatment from Nigerian authorities and went on to blame his former club, Sunshine Stars
The football world is mourning the loss of Razak Omotoyossi, a Nigerian-born striker who became a legend for Benin’s national team.
Fondly called 'Omogoal' for his striking prowess, the former Metz of France forward passed away on August 19, 2025, at the age of 39.
His professional football career was nearly derailed early on by a controversial five-year ban from Nigerian football authorities, which pushed him to switch allegiance to Benin.
Source: Getty Images
The footballer's journey ended tragically after battling depression for some time, amid personal losses, which made things worse.
Omotoyossi’s footballing roots could be traced back to Agege in Lagos, Nigeria, where he began playing in amateur leagues with LSCPC before moving to FC Ebiede and Sunshine Stars.
At just 17, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) handed him a five-year ban for allegedly assaulting a referee during a match between Sunshine Stars and Enyimba.
Speaking with Nomso Obiajuru and Babajide Orevba of Legit.ng in 2020, the former Al-Nassr of Saudi striker branded the decision as terrible, further saying it was an act of wickedness.
He said via Legit TV:
"It was something I knew nothing about because I was accused. Staying home for nine months, with no plan, no salary from Sunshine anymore...
"I was not even allowed to train with the team. It was a very terrible journey."
The ban not only sidelined him from playing but also severed his ties with Sunshine Stars, who he felt had abandoned him.
"Sunshine was even the one that abandoned the player that sweated for them. They could not even assist to settle the situation.
"They stopped my salary, stopped me from training with the team. I hope no one goes through what I went through."
Omotoyossi stated that the NFF ban cost him a place in the Nigeria U-17 team as he missed out on the Nations Cup.
He continued:
"You cannot ban a 17-year-old boy for five years that he should not play football. I was supposed to be at the U17 Nations Cup that year, with Mikel and all of them. It is wickedness.
"Let’s even say that was a decision from the NFF, what about the team you are playing for? They stopped salary, they stopped me from training or even playing matches."
After facing isolation and no support from his club or the NFF, Omotoyossi moved to Benin, where he switched his international allegiance, per Vanguard.
Source: Getty Images
He then went on to feature for the Cheetahs and made a total of 55 appearances, registering 21 goals between 2004 and 2016.
Taye Taiwo mourns Omotoyossi
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Nigerian international Taye Taiwo shared an emotional tribute to the late Omotoyossi.
The former defender shared an emotional message on social media as he mourned the former striker.
Source: Legit.ng
