Championship rivals pay heartfelt tribute to former Leeds United star
The emotional tributes paid to Sol Bamba at Cardiff City Stadium were enough to move even the most stoic of individuals. Bamba, a former captain of both Cardiff City and Leeds United, tragically passed away three weeks ago at the age of 39.
His memory was honoured in a powerful moment this afternoon as fans from all sides joined together in a resounding round of applause and cheers, paying tribute to a true footballing titan. The day was dedicated to Bamba. The matchday programme's front cover featured a collage of photos from his time at both Cardiff and Leeds.
The Fred Keenor statue was adorned with Bamba memorabilia, and the Leeds United Supporters' Trust laid a wreath at the foot of the 1927 FA Cup winner. The press room, typically filled with framed photos from the club's history, had its usual decor replaced with an homage to the late Ivorian, reports Wales Online.
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A total of 29 A2 photos of Bamba, tracing his journey from his early days in the game with Hibs and Leeds, through to his time playing for the Bluebirds and his stint in the Cardiff dugout alongside Sabri Lamouchi last year, were displayed.
The home team's tribute to Bamba, who sadly passed away while managing Turkish second-tier side Adanaspor, was both touching and poignant. The club encouraged fans to 'wear blue for Bamba', and they certainly did, with a sea of blue enveloping the stadium as supporters gathered 15 minutes before kick-off. Cardiff's players warmed up in shirts adorned with photos of Sol on the front and 'Bamba 14' on the back.
A tribute video to Bamba was displayed on the big screen at Cardiff City Stadium, showcasing his most memorable goals for the club. Among those watching were his wife Chloe, Leeds representatives chief executive Angus Kinnear and club ambassador Eddie Gray, and friends Sean Morrison, Lee Peltier, Anthony Pilkington, Loic Damour, Isaac Vassell, Ronnie Jepson and Neil Warnock.
Just before kick-off, a thunderous round of applause echoed around the stadium, followed by a chant from Leeds fans: 'There's only one Sol Bamba'. The home crowd joined in, amplifying the sentiment, before launching into their own rendition of 'Last Christmas', a song frequently sung during Bamba's playing days in Cardiff.
The Canton Stand at Cardiff City Stadium displayed a stirring banner reading "Sol Bamba. City legend", a tribute that will find a permanent home in the Ninian Stand, sitting alongside tributes for Cardiff City icons like Peter Whittingham and Phil 'Joe' Dwyer.
On the 14th minute, mirroring the number Bamba proudly donned for the Bluebirds on 73 occasions, fans experienced a poignant remembrance for the man who has left an indelible mark not just in Cardiff but everywhere he graced with his presence - including both cities represented in the stadium today.