"One of the favorites of Samara fans": ex-footballer of "Krylia Sovetov" Kovba died at the age of 43

Samara football legend

Former Krylia Sovetov midfielder Denis Kovba died at the age of 43.

The footballer was in intensive care for a week in an extremely serious condition with coronavirus, as the player's wife wrote about on social networks.

Two sons were left without a father: Plato and Zakhar.

Kovba defended the colors of the Samara club for ten years with a short break.

Together with Krylya, he became the medalist of the Russian championship, reached the final of the Cup of the country, and also participated in the UEFA Cup.

Over the years, he has become a true team legend.

At the end of his sports career, the Belarusian remained to work in the club as a breeder, and then left to coach Vitebsk - it was in this city that he began his sports career.

The Samara club published a message in which it expressed condolences to the family and friends of the Cowba.

“He was one of the favorites of Samara fans who respected him for his dedication and reliability.

Wings of the Soviets offer their deepest condolences to family and friends.

We grieve with you, ”the text says.

The team's sports director Sergei Kornilenko, who also knew Denis well, promised to support the family with the funeral.

“We grew up in the same city, I know his father.

Together they played for the national team, the victory over Slovenia, where two natives of Vitebsk played for the national team, stands apart.

Before moving to Wings of the Soviets, I called Denis and asked for advice, he was already a legend here.

For me this is a great loss - a friend, comrade and partner, "- quotes the words of the" Championship "functionary.

The Governor of the Samara Region Dmitry Azarov in his address also noted Denis's coaching activities.

“It is especially bitter and painful when young people full of energy, strength and aspirations leave.

The Samara land is sincerely proud that Denis Kovba played for our football team, played more than 250 matches in various tournaments, scored many goals, won bronze medals in the Russian Championship with Krylia, played in the UEFA Cup and played in the Russian Cup final ", - the official concluded. 

In memory of the midfielder, the meeting between Krylia Sovetov and Ural in the 15th round of the Russian Premier League will begin with a minute of silence.

"This is a great loss for everyone."

Former head coach of Samara residents Gadzhi Gadzhiev worked with Denis for three years.

According to the specialist, the midfielder was one of those players who truly loved the club.

“He lived with Wings.

Samara is one of the most football cities.

I can say that because I worked in different leagues and traveled all over the country.

It seems to me that Samara is distinguished in this respect by just such people.

When the memorial plaque to Boris Kazakov was opened, fans with 50 years of experience and even more came.

Their traditions are better preserved than in other cities.

I remember that the attendance at the Metallurg stadium in 2004 was the best in Eastern Europe, although the arena is old.

Cowba lived in football.

Heavenly kingdom to him, let the earth rest in peace, "- said the specialist in an interview with TASS.

Ex-midfielder of the Russian national team Andrei Tikhonov spent more than one season with Denis.

According to him, the hallmark of the Cowba was a smile.

“We played with him.

An open, cheerful guy, the soul of the company.

He practically never spoke and always smiled.

Terribly simple.

The coronavirus does not spare anyone, ”Tikhonov shared his memories.

The fate of Denis was closely connected with Jiri Yaroshik, who also played in Samara for a long time.

It was thanks to the assistance of the Czech that Kovba moved to the Prague “Sparta”, with which he became the champion of the country.

However, the Belarusian did not stay in the team for a long time: a year later he returned to the “Wings” that had become relatives.

As Yaroshik admitted, he believed that his friend would cope with the disease.

“It's very hard ... I heard that he is in intensive care.

I thought his athletic body would fight this disease ... Denis became a great friend for me in two years in Samara.

I advised him to try his hand at Sparta.

And he tried to persuade me to go to Zaragoza.

He insisted that one should go there and not be afraid of anything.

He always helped me.

He was very cheerful and friendly.

It is difficult, of course, to say that he does not exist.

This is a great loss for all football and non-football people.

He was a very cool player ", - quotes the words of Yaroshik" Sport-Express ".

For the bronze medalist of the European Championship Denis Kolodin, the news of Kovba's death came as a shock.

“A good, kind person, an excellent football player.

It seems that he was always healthy, he has a great family.

I offer my condolences to Denis's family.

Lately we have rarely seen each other, ”the footballer admitted.

And to another former head coach of Krylia Aleksandr Tarkhanov, Kovba was remembered as an extremely responsible footballer, and his death was a tragedy for the specialist.

“I knew Denis very well, worked with him for many years.

Such a young guy, only 42 years old.

My condolences to his family.

Denis was remembered for being hardworking and very responsible.

It is a pity that it happened, "- said the coach in an interview with" R-Sport ".

Vasily Utkin could not contain his emotions either.

As the commentator wrote on his Telegram, he talked a lot with Cowboy.

“The Wings he played for were a team that I loved very much.

I knew Denis well, we hung out more than once in our common youth.

Leaving life at 42 is terrible.

Get vaccinated ... ", - wrote Utkin.