Bamba

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: Bamba

I don't think it would be a superb decision to give a playing contract to a player who will be turning 37 next season. I wish him well, but I suspect today might have been his last appearance for us.

Not as a first team player/coach, but under 23's and coaching the youngsters.. You never know though even at that age he could actually prove valuable on the bench.

[Michael Morris]

Re: Bamba

Sol is brilliant when on Sky. He could have a career in the media

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Bamba

Despite knowing his club was about to be relegated, Rotherham boss Paul Warne took time to embrace Sol Bamba as the City defender was waiting to come on. Class

[ATTACH=CONFIG]4417[/ATTACH]

Absolutely 💯

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Bamba

Manager Mick McCarthy says Sol Bamba's return to action after a cancer diagnosis has prompted delight throughout Cardiff City.

Bamba, 36, came off the bench in Cardiff's draw with Rotherham United on the final day of the Championship season.

It was the defender's first appearance since Cardiff announced in January that he was undergoing chemotherapy.

"Sol has been a big part of this club for a long time," McCarthy said.

"He got on the pitch and he was delighted with that and the lads were all delighted for him, as I am and the staff are.

"He has been a big part of the club and everybody loves him."

Bamba spoke of his "pure joy" at returning to training last month having been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Ivory Coast international said at the time there was "still a long way to go" in his recovery, but he came on in the 89th minute against Rotherham to make a first Cardiff appearance since December 2020.

McCarthy says the decision to introduce Bamba as the Millers sought a late winner was tactical.

"I did think when they were starting to making substitutions and bring players on, they were going to be looking for a throw-in, a free-kick, a corner, and I wanted to get him on," he added.

Former Leeds, Leicester and Hibernian player Bamba, who has made 118 appearances since joining Cardiff in 2016, sees his contract expire this summer.

Cardiff's draw with saw them finish eighth in the Championship, while Rotherham's failure to win meant they were relegated to League One.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57042748

You can see the effect treatment has had on him , poor sod

[NYCBlue]

Re: Bamba

Not as a first team player/coach, but under 23's and coaching the youngsters.. You never know though even at that age he could actually prove valuable on the bench.

I'd like to see him stay involved if possible. He seems like he has a genuine affinity for the club and the area.

[blue matt]

Re: Bamba

great to see him back

Got to agree with the above, it was his last 1st team appearance and a massive shame us fans were not around to say goodbye to him

BUT, it would be great to see him stay at the club in some role or the other, U23 coach ? ? ?

[DubaiDai]

Re: Bamba

McCarthy should find a role for him at the club.coaching/managing the youngsters sounds right up his street.

[19bluebirds27]

Re: Bamba

Can’t really offer him anything from a playing point of view.
But he has to be remain at the club, he is a big influence and commands a lot of respect.
With Mick and Terry only here short term he can learn a lot and it would be incredible to hand over the reigns at the end of that contract to big Sol (not from sacking).