Simba FC defender dies watching Premier League match

By James Bakama and Shafik Ssenoga

Uganda Premier League (Today, 4.30pm)

KCC v Police (Lugogo)

Kira Young v BUL (Namboole)

Rwenshama v Express (Mityana)

THE football fraternity is in shock following the death of Simba FC central defender Fahad Musana.

Musana was part of the Simba side that beat Entebbe 1-0 on Saturday and even trained the following morning before watching a Premier League match on Sunday evening.

Musana, a staunch Chelsea fan, collapsed in Bombo after Frank Lampard equalised for Premier League giants Manchester City against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

The Soana versus Simba match has consequently been postponed, UPL Chief Executive Officer Benard Bainamani announced on Monday.

The match will be played on October 8.

Simba coach Fred Kajoba, who described the deceased as a dependable player, said burial will be today in Iganga. This was his second season with the army side. He was recommended to Kajoba by Cranes defender Isaac Isinde.

Uganda’s football governing body FUFA is in shock. “Fufa is in shock after receiving news about the sudden death of Simba FC player Musana Fahad in Bombo this evening,” read a federation statement.

The statement added, “The body is currently at the Bombo Barracks Hospital. Burial arrangements will be communicated later.

There have been earlier cases of football fans dying during and after matches.

Last month a fan died in Kireka after a late equaliser shattered his chances of winning a huge betting cash prize.

In February, a Kenyan Liverpool fan taunted a rival Arsenal supporter about his team’s 5-1 victory after they had watched the match together in a bar in the town of Meru.

Residents say the Arsenal fan then pulled out a knife and stabbed his tormentor, who later died in hospital.

Last year, another Kenyan fan, unable to cope with Manchester United’s loss to Newcastle United committed suicide.

John Macharia, 28, plunged to his death from a multi-storey apartment block in Nairobi after David Moyes’ men suffered a second home defeat in four days, denting the champions’ chance of retaining their Premier League title.