Mafisango’s death shocks football fraternity

Mafisango’s ProfileBorn: 03/09/1980Birth Place: Kinshasa, DR CongoNationality: Rwandan Former Clubs: TP Mazembe - 2005-06APR FC - 2006-07, 2009-10Atraco FC - 2007-08, 2008-09Azam - 2012-11Simba SC - 2011- to dateRWANDAN football fraternity is saddened by the loss of former Amavubi skipper Patrick Mutesa Mafisango who passed away in the early hours of yesterday.Mafisango, 32, passed away in a fatal car accident in Dar-es-salaam as he tried to dodge a motorcyclist, a feat which forced his vehicle to veer off the road and crashed into a trench, a few meters from his home and died on his way to Muhimbiri government hospital.The President of Rwanda Football Federation, Ferwafa, Celestin Ntagungira in his condolence message said he was shocked by the news. “It is a sad moment to hear the sad news. We have lost a charismatic footballer,”“We take this opportunity to pass our condolences to his family, his club Simba SC of Tanzania and the Amavubi team and the entire football and sports family for the tragic loss.“Mafisango was a very humble, hard working and dedicated footballer and his death is a big blow to Rwandan football and entire region,” added Ntagungira.Amavubi head head coach Milutin Micho said, “It is very sad for all of us - we are devastated because this is a player who had a future for the national team and his career as well.”“He has played six games for Simba in the Confederation Cup and so was a player whom we counted on for the upcoming qualifiers,” added Micho.The holding midfielder, the third top scorer in the Tanzanian league this season with 12 goals was expected in Kigali this afternoon alongside his colleague Haruna Niyonzima who plays for rivals Young Africans to start preparations for the June’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers.Micho’s call was supposed to mark the deceased’s return to the national team after a year on the sidelines, having fallen out with former head coach Sellas Tetteh.Mafisango was born in DR Congo and played for TP Mazembe before joining Rwandan giants APR FC.He also played for Atraco of Rwanda and Tanzania’s Azam before joining Simba, who lost their Confederation Cup match to Al Ahly Shandy in Sudan on penalties this weekend.He guided the military side to two Kagame/Cecafa club championships and won two league trophies for them before moving to Atraco where he guided them to their maiden league title.Micho’s squad assembled at La Palisse hotel on Wednesday and would head to Tunisia for a training camp to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Algeria on June 2.The former APR, Atraco and Tanzania’s Azam playmaker was set to be given a new contract yesterday by Simba with whom they had concluded talks on Wednesday.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.The body of Mafisango is set to be on display for mourners to pay their last respect at the Leaders Club grounds in Dar es Salaam this afternoon.Simba Club management will lead thousands of Simba and Tanzania football fraternity as well as a multitude of people from all over the country and beyond borders will be able to mourn the Rwandan-star.Mafisango’s casket will then be flown to Kinshasa, DR Congo on Saturday morning aboard Kenya Airways for burial which is due on Sunday.Amavubi honours MafisangoThe Amavubi team yesterday honoured Mafisango in a 45-minute event before their evening training session at Amahoro stadium.The grieving-event attracted officials from the Ministry of sports and culture, Ferwafa, APR, fans as well as Amavubi players.Ferwafa and Minispoc pledged to organise a charity football match to commemorate him as well as honour his role he played in the Amavubi team.Micho said, “In life, people are born, live and die but to Mafisango, there are so many things behind him, he has won matches and titles,”“We should appreciate life and know that it is valuable and impossible to measure,” added Micho.Coach Jean Marie Ntagwabirwa who managed him at APR and Atraco told the gathering to emulate his good deeds. “He was a great player who had much determination and won different titles. His death should leave a bigger motivation to all of us especially during the upcoming busy month of June,”Players who played with at APR like Mbuyu Twite, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Ismail Nshutiyamagara to mention but a few were all emotional to say anything.We’ve missed a motivator – KazuraFormer Ferwafa president, Brig. Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura said that Mafisango made his contribution to the national team whole-heartedly. “He loved Rwanda and sacrificed his best to the nation. He was a role model in key matches and that’s why he managed to win many matches and titles.”“He was a committed player, would come when he is needed to the national team and would provide the very possible result that everyone expected of him. Just like his name, he was a patriotic footballer,” added Kazura.

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Mafisango’s death shocks football fraternity