Former goalkeeper for the Somali national team Abdiwali Olad Kanyare was killed on Thursday after an attack on a mosque by unknown gunmen in Afgoye, 30 kilometres south of Mogadishu, according to the Somali Football Federation (SFF).
A statement from the federation said that Kanyare was killed inside a mosque while performing Taraawiih prayers (evening prayers during the Ramadan period). The attackers then fled the scene.
Kanayre was eulogized as an active trainer and instructor who was always keen to pass his knowledge of football to everyone.
“It is really very sad that we have missed a visionary young coach and instructor, a man who had a great ambition for his football career,” SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab said.
“He was a well-prepared instructor who had an excellent teaching talent. Our next mission was to conduct the same development courses in the Puntland State as soon as the COVID-19 lockdown ends, but I am so sorry that we have missed him,” SFF vice president Abdullahi Sheik Nor said.
Kanyare, who was killed eight days before his 40th birthday, held a CAF license B coaching certificate and was the current goalkeeping coach for Ocean Stars youth team. He had retired from international football in 2015.
Kanyare played for a number of clubs such as Bariga Dhexe FC, Horseed Sports Club and Mogadishu City Sports Club (previously Banadir Sports Club).
The SFF appealed to the Somali government to investigate the killing and bring the attackers to justice.
Kanyare is the latest former Somali footballer to die in recent months. In April, Said Mohamed Duale, widely regarded as the nation’s greatest player died of illness while in March, another football legend Abdulkadir Mohamed Farah died after contracting COVID-19.
