Pantami Mourns Gombe United Legend Kabiru ‘Ustaz,’ Hails Him as Moral and Skillful Icon
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Malam Kabiru Ibrahim Aliyu, a legendary midfielder of Gombe United FC, describing him as a rare embodiment of professional excellence, humility and deep religious devotion.
Popularly known as “Kabiru Ustaz,” the former football star passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, sparking widespread mourning and nostalgia across football communities in Gombe and Kaduna States.
In a heartfelt reflection, Pantami—also known as the Majidadin Daular Usmaniyya—recalled Kabiru’s brilliance during Gombe United’s golden era of the early 1990s, when he donned the iconic Number 4 jersey and dominated the midfield with elegance and authority.
Pantami likened Kabiru’s technical qualities to some of football’s greatest icons, noting that his close control and composure mirrored that of Zinedine Zidane, his vision and final-third assists evoked Xavi Hernández, while his forward surges and aerial presence reminded him of Sócrates and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively. He recalled with nostalgia Kabiru’s memorable headed goals against top Nigerian sides of the era, including Abiola Babes, Niger Tornadoes and BCC Lions of Gboko.
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Beyond his exploits on the pitch, Pantami emphasised that Kabiru’s greatest legacy lay in his character and personal conduct. He described the late footballer as a complete gentleman and a moral reference point in the Pantami neighbourhood of Gombe, where he lived after his playing career.
“While some people called him ‘Kabiru Zico’ during his time in Zaria, he was known to everyone in Gombe as ‘Kabiru Ustaz’ because of his modesty and commitment to Islam,” Pantami said. “I personally never saw him miss the Fajr prayer even once. He walked with humility, dressed modestly and related with people in a way that commanded respect.”
Born on September 9, 1960, in Unguwar Juma, Zaria, Kabiru Ibrahim Aliyu was the son of the late Ambassador Aliyu Abdullahi, the Magajin Jisambon Zazzau. After retiring from professional football, he devoted his life to education, serving as a teacher with the Kaduna State Government until his retirement.
Pantami revealed that he last spoke with the late icon just two weeks before his passing, noting that Kabiru remained deeply committed to faith and football until the end. “He influenced many people to balance religious devotion with sporting excellence. Our conversations were always about duty to God and commitment to the game,” he said.
The former minister extended his condolences to the family, neighbours and football fraternity in Kaduna and Gombe States. The late Kabiru Ibrahim Aliyu is survived by six children—four sons and two daughters.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” Pantami prayed, describing Kabiru ‘Ustaz’ as a timeless role model whose legacy will endure both on and off the pitch.
By PRNigeria
