Forest Green Defender Delivers Baby at Home
Forest Green Rovers defender Jili Buyabu, currently on a season-long loan from Sheffield United, played a crucial role off the pitch by delivering his own baby just two days before returning to support his team's promotion efforts.
The 22-year-old was faced with an urgent situation in the early hours of Thursday morning when his wife went into late-stage labour. With no time to reach the hospital, Buyabu stepped in to assist with the delivery at home.
Forest Green manager Robbie Savage shared the remarkable story, revealing that Buyabu contacted him at 06:50 GMT on Thursday morning to inform him that he had delivered the baby before paramedics arrived.
"Jili Buyabu had rung me at a quarter to 12 [on Wednesday] saying I've got to take my partner to the hospital as she's due but it was a false alarm," Savage told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"He woke me up this morning at 10 to seven and said 'Gaffer... Gaffer... I've just delivered the baby! I said 'What you?' And he said, 'yeah'.
"He was with his partner, the contractions started and he didn't have time to get to the hospital or get the paramedics there so Jili has actually delivered the baby!
"When the paramedics got there he put them on the phone and he said 'Tell him!' They said yes he's delivered the baby. At 22 years of age I am so proud of him. For him to do that it is a brilliant story."
According to Savage, both mother and baby, as well as Buyabu, are doing well following the event. The defender will be granted a day off on Thursday before returning to training with the squad.
Upcoming Match and Player Status
Forest Green Rovers currently sit fifth in the National League and are actively pursuing promotion. They are set to face mid-table Aldershot at home on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 15:00 GMT.
Buyabu, who has been on loan from Sheffield United throughout the season, is expected to be included in the starting lineup for the upcoming match.
