African football is mourning the loss of Razak Omotoyossi, the Nigerian-born striker who became a national icon for Benin. He passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the age of 39.
According to reports, Omotoyossi had been battling depression and illness in recent months, compounded by personal tragedies including the loss of his home to a fire and the death of his sister just weeks before his passing.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Omotoyossi chose to represent Benin internationally, earning 55 caps and scoring 21 goals for the national team – making him one of the country’s all-time top scorers.
His most memorable performance came during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he scored all four goals in Benin’s 4–1 victory over Togo, finishing the campaign as joint top scorer alongside Samuel Eto’o.
At club level, Omotoyossi’s career spanned continents. He made headlines in Sweden with Helsingborgs IF, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League, and later moved to France to play for FC Metz.
His journey also took him to clubs in Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Moldova, showcasing his talent across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world. FC Metz posted,
“FC Metz has learned with deep emotion of the passing of Razak Omotoyossi, who died at the age of 39. The club wishes to express its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones”.
Omotoyossi’s legacy as a gifted goalscorer and passionate ambassador of African football will endure. His story is one of resilience, talent, and a deep love for the game.
