The sports fraternity in Rwanda is in shock following the death of former Isonga Academy president and Amavubi supporter, Gregoire Muramira. The 82-year-old passed on, on Friday, at King Faisal Hospital where he had been admitted. Muramira made history in football in Rwanda and Burundi. He led the Vital'o FC team, leading it to the finals of the first African Cup. Muramira was president of Vital'o FC in Burundi from 1987 to 1994. When he was president of Vital'o FC he helped them reach the final of the African Cup in 1992 where they lost the final against Africa Sports on aggregate 5-1. In Rwanda, apart from managing Isonga FC, he was a fan of sports in general and used to watch football, volleyball, basketball matches and other sports. Muramira had been ill for some time, which is why he has not been seen in sports events recently. In local football circles, Muramira was one of the best football promoters in the country. Muramira also played big role during the liberation war and served in the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) for many years. Muramira was a key member of Isonga during their shining years. He played a big role in the development of the club founded in 2011. Isonga was founded in 2011 mainly comprising players from Rwanda’s U-17 team that featured in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Mexico. In June 2013, the club released their entire playing staff after being relegated from the top division. The club was disbanded in 2017. When he was president of Vital'o, the club became the most popular club in Burundi. The team achieved what no Burundian team has ever achieved: reaching the final of the African Cup Winners' Cup. It was in 1992. In the semi-finals, Vital'o lost the first leg against Al Merreikh Omdurman (1-0). In the return match, the Burundian team had a very good match and won 4-2. For the first time in the history of Burundi, a football club grabbed its ticket for the final of an African Cup. Vital'o eventually lost the final, but still wrote a beautiful page in the history of Burundian football in indelible ink. Vital'O head coach who has been a friend to Muramira, Gilbert Yaounde Kanyankore, said: It is sad and shocking that Muramira has passed on. He was a friend to everyone and has been Rwanda’s number one coach, we will miss him.” He added that the football family has lost someone special; a loyal servant for both his country and the game (football). He was an honest man and he loved his game. He helped us a lot in the development of football in Burundi and Rwanda.” Rwanda Football Association President Olivier Mugabo Nizeyimana said: It is sad news, everyone is in shock but we will celebrate his life as he served his country so well. He was hard working, loved football and always fought for the win, he was a winner, courageous and one of the best coaches in Rwanda.” Apart from founding Isonga, the late was involved in the founding of Gasogi United, its President, Charles Kakoza Nkuriza, said. He said: “When Gasogi United was founded, he gave us the first balls and gave us the players we started with. He gave us some good players.”
