Players, staff, supporters and friends of APR FC on Friday, April 5, gathered at club headquarters in Kimihurura to say their final goodbyes to late coach Dr. Adel Zrane. Zrane, 40, was found dead in his apartment in Kigali on Tuesday, April 2. A report of the autopsy conducted at Rwanda Forensic Laboratory on Thursday indicated that the Tunisian succumbed to a heart attack. READ ALSO: APR’s fitness coach died of heart attack Dignitaries from various sports institutions including Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Zephanie Niyonkuru, FERWAFA Secretary General Adolphe Kalisa, and Rwanda Premier League president Hadji Mudaheranwa, joined the APR FC fraternity in the farewell ceremony for the coach. Also present at the ceremony were also Zrane’s wife Maha Badr and Amin Zrane, his brother, who traveled to Kigali to get his body repatriated to Tunisia. Speaking at the ceremony, Col. Richard Karasira said, Dr. Zrane was not only our coach, but also a friend to everyone, as we have heard today. Let's remember him for the contributions he made to our team and wish him the best in the afterlife. “His death came as a shock to us all, and we struggled to accept this loss, he added. Midfielder and club vice-captain, Shaiboub Ali, was a close friend to late coach Zrane who, he said, had a good relationship with players. The Sudanese said, “He wasn't just our coach, he was a dear friend and a brother to us. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Zrane loved Rwanda! Zrane had coached in many countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Tanzania but his family revealed that the coach loved Rwanda to the extent that he had already planned to settle in the country with his wife and son. “Despite the overwhelming sadness and pain, I feel it’s very important to honor our Rwandan friends, APR family... Adel had a deep affection for Rwanda,” Zrane’s wife Maha. Maha’s confession was echoed by Zrane’s brother Amin who revealed that, Rwanda held a special place in Adel's heart. He had lived in other countries, but he often shared with me how much he loved being here.” The two thanked the APR FC family for their support during such a difficult situation. “Despite the overwhelming sadness and pain of this loss, I am deeply touched by the love and support we have received from our Rwandan friends and the APR family,” said Maha. Emphasizing the love that the Tunisian had for Rwanda club Team Manager Eric Ntazinda turned so many big offers from various teams like Tanzanian giants Simba SC and the Tunisian national team to stay in Rwanda. “He rejected all these opportunities because of the love he had for Rwanda, Ntazinda said. After the moving ceremony, Zrane’s body was repatriated to his homeland, Tunisia, where he will be laid to rest.
