Former Benin Republic international striker, Razak Omotoyossi, has died at the age of 38, football authorities in the West African country have confirmed.

Omotoyossi, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, began his professional career in the Nigerian league before switching nationality to play for the Benin Republic, where he went on to become one of the country’s most influential players.

He earned prominence in 2008 when he scored all four goals in Benin’s 4–1 victory over Togo in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, finishing as joint top scorer of the campaign. He also entered the record books as the first player to score for Benin at an AFCON finals.

Over the course of his career, Omotoyossi played for clubs in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France. Known for his sharp finishing and physical style of play, he became a key figure for the Squirrels of Benin during their rise in continental football.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Benin Football Federation had yet to issue a formal statement on his death.

Omotoyossi’s passing has been described by football circles in both Nigeria and Benin as the loss of a player who bridged two football cultures and left a lasting mark on African football history.