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Rwandan football fraternity woke up to sad news this morning of the passing of Amavubi midfielder Patrick Mafisango.

The player, who had this week earned a recall to the national football team, died early Thursday following a tragic road accident in Dar es salaam,Tanzania.

According to sources in Tanzania, Mafisango, who has been playing for champions Simba Sports Club, was driving when the accident occurred at about 3a.m (2a.m Rwandan time). It is believed he was trying to dodge a motorcyclist only for his car to overturn several times in the Tazara area. He died on the way to hospital.

The holding midfielder, who was the third top scorer in the Tanzanian league this season with 12 goals, was among experienced players who were summoned on Monday by Amavubi head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic to beef up the national team ahead of the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers, which get underway next month.

Sredojovic recalled him to the team after he flew out to Tanzania to watch him play, as well as midfielder Haruna Niyonzima, who features for Young Africans.

He was due to make his return to the Amavubi fold after a year on the sidelines after falling out with former head coach Sellas Tetteh.

Congolese-born Mafisango and Niyonzima were expected to join the Amavubi camp tomorrow.

The former APR, Atraco and Tanzania’s Azam playmaker is understood to have been in talks with Simba for a new contract.

He will be remembered by many for his versatility and commitment on the pitch,   which had made him a darling of many fans – both at club and national level.

bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw