Yao Kaka Aziawonou, despite struggling to retire from football in 2010 due to injuries, has made a surprising comeback by signing with Concordia Basel, a Division 4 team in the Swiss championship.
In his first appearance with Concordia Basel, the 34-year-old former FC Basel player showcased a stellar performance. Aziawonou, originally a defensive midfielder, played in central defense against SC Zofingen, contributing to a 2-0 away victory for Concordia.
Aziawonou, known for his colorful braids, holds a special place in the hearts of Togolese fans as part of the generation of Eperviers that qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. After retiring in 2010, he embarked on a coaching career, initially taking charge of the FC Italia Club, an amateur team in Switzerland.
In a 2012 interview, Aziawonou shared his surprise at quickly landing a coaching role after obtaining his diploma. He expressed the challenges he faced as a black coach in Switzerland and how he embraced the opportunity to be a player-coach for FC Italia Club. Despite being an amateur club, FC Italia had ambitious goals of climbing the ranks and reaching the highest level, a challenge that Aziawonou enthusiastically embraced.
