Africa has joined the rest of the world in mourning basketball legend Kobe Bryant who died in a Helicopter crash on Sunday alongside his daughter Gianna and seven other people on board.
The group was flying to Thousand Oaks, California, for a basketball game where Gianna was expected to play and Kobe was expected to coach.
The cause of the helicopter crash has yet to be revealed but initial reports indicate it may have been caused by bad weather.
Sports personalities from across the world have taken lead in mourning the former Los Angeles Lakers star.
Africans have also sent their messages of condolence to the family of Kobe.
World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge was at the forefront in mourning a fellow athlete.
I join the whole world and sporting fraternity in mourning the death of NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter in a fatal helicopter crash in the United States.
My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.
Rest in peace Kobe pic.twitter.com/qN3gpbmn6D
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) January 27, 2020
Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah was quick to pass his condolences to Kobe’s family;
My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of Kobe and of those who died in the terrible accident.
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) January 26, 2020
Former Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire striker Didier Drogba hailed Kobe as a ” true champion and a great man.”
It hurts so bad 💔my thoughts and condolences to your family @kobebryant
Thank you for all the advices and stories we shared, Man you are a true Champion and a great Man
May you and your lovely daughter rest in Heaven 🙏🏾#blackmamba #kobe pic.twitter.com/wtvKl5iQDu— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) January 27, 2020
South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighter’s Party tweeted;
EFF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the entire basketball fraternity on the passing of Basketball legend, Kobe Bean Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.#RIPKobeandGianna pic.twitter.com/SMfB6hB7MW
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 27, 2020
The U.S. Embassy in Kenya also sent it’s message of condolence through Twitter;
We join Kenyans in the sport fraternity in mourning the death of @NBA basketball star Kobe Bean Bryant and his daughter in a fatal helicopter crash in the United States. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and fans across the world including Kenya. pic.twitter.com/He4MCvHN0Y
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) January 27, 2020
Kenya’s football captain Victor Wanyama said Kobe had given the world some of its best moments.
R.I.P legend, and Thank you for giving us some of the best moments of our life. #24 pic.twitter.com/BMeCV7Qq1v
— Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) January 26, 2020
