A minute of silence was observed during Sunday’s Group C fixtures of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Kigali in honour of late coach Gilbert “Yaoundé” Kanyankore, who died on Saturday, July 25. The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) called for the tribute to recognise Kanyankore’s dedication and contribution to the development of football in the region over more than three decades. Sudan’s Al Hilal and Kenya’s Tusker were the first teams to observe the minute of silence before facing off in the opening match of the day at Amahoro Stadium. Players, match officials and supporters joined in the tribute to honour one of East Africa’s most respected football figures. Rwandan side Rayon Sports, who were once coached by the Rwandan-Burundian tactician, also observed a minute of silence before their match. ALSO READ: Former APR, Rayon and Vital’O coach Kanyankore dies aged 72 “The tribute recognises his dedicated service and contribution to football and is a mark of respect following his passing,” a joint statement from CECAFA and FERWAFA partly reads. Kanyankore died on Saturday at the age of 72. Although the cause of his death had not been officially confirmed, reports indicate that the veteran tactician had been battling cancer, which reportedly contributed to his decision to retire from professional coaching in 2025. Widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in East African football, Kanyankore enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. He coached several top clubs, including APR FC, Rayon Sports and Kiyovu Sports in Rwanda, as well as Burundi’s Vital’O FC, where he won 21 trophies and established himself as one of the club’s most successful managers. He also coached Rwanda B to victory in the 1999 CECAFA Senior Men’s Challenge Cup.
