Fruta Conquerors pay tribute to fallen player Leon Sealey Yaw

News of the tragic death of 26-year-old Leon Sealey Yaw ripped through the local football fraternity last Thursday evening. The Fruta Conquerors goalkeeper was, at the time of his untimely demise, involved in a training session at the club’s Tucville base.
Days later, when the club set out to compete in the ongoing KFC Elite League, the team memorialised Sealey Yaw not only with black and red ribbons attached to their customary bright orange uniforms, but also with a welcome victory.
Following the game, Head Coach Sampson Gilbert recounted the moments when he learned of Yaw’s passing, and his hesitance to share that news with the team.
“I just want to pay tribute to our late goalkeeper Leon Sealey Yaw. We got the news whilst training last Thursday evening, and it was devastating. When I got the news, I couldn’t call off the players to tell them that this happened, cause I know that that would’ve really upset them,” Gilbert revealed. He added, “So, I waited before the scheduled time, and then I stopped the session.”

Several tributes on social media described Yaw as a jovial, committed player. Gilbert’s recollection of the player, who had been with the club since his youth football days, was no different. The Coach recalled, “He was very disciplined, he was very committed. He was a kid that, even when he’s working or whatever he’s doing in life otherwise, when he’s not training, he always let me remember that he’s there for us, he’s going to come, so don’t ever think that he’s not going to be there to represent.”
About Fruta’s in-game tribute to Yaw, Gilbert shared, “We wore the black and red ribbon because, instead of black alone, we thought that, looking back at the events that took place around the club for the last few years, we had some players that left us for the Great Beyond, you know. We thought that the red would acknowledge that we want to cut that off. The black is to actually mourn that loss, but the red is for resilience, to say that although we losing players, we don’t want to go down that route anymore,” the renowned Coach added.
Gilbert went on to share with this publication his intentions to share life’s lessons alongside knowledge on the game, in order to possibly lower the instances of such tragic occurrences.
“Sometimes as young players they might be extreme in different aspects of life. Youths riding, they might be a little anxious because of the motor bikes. So, we want players to learn, to understand that, look, whatever you’re doing, do it with consideration,” he related.
Gilbert expressed, “It’s just part of the whole development that we’re looking forward to implement, not only in football, but in life.”