Hategikimana Bonaventure
Rwandan football has been rocked by shock death of ex-Amavubi centre backs Hamad Ndikumana Katauti and Bonaventure Hategikimana, all occurred last night.
Ndikumana who was an assistant coach at the reigning champions Rayon Sports passed away on Tuesday night after complaining of intense chest pain.
According to Rayon Sport Team Doctor Charles Mugemana, Ndikumana passed away in very shocking and unknown circumstance.
“One of his relatives called me last night as Ndikumana wasn’t feeling better. I rushed to check on him but upon arrival, he had already passed away,”
Meanwhile, a post-mortem is expected to be done at CHUK to determine the exact cause of Ndikumana’s death.
Ndikumana is reported to have trained his side on Tuesday evening and seemed to be in good health.
Ndikumana Hamad Katauti
The 39-year old legend made 51 appearances for the Amavubi Stars since 1998 and was part of the squad that snatched Rwanda’s maiden participation at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004.
The late Ndikumana is set to be laid to rest on Wednesday as per Islamic faith at Nyamirambo cemetery.
On the same night, another legend Hategikimana also passed away at Kabutare Hospital in Huye District after a long illness.
According to her relative Uwamahoro Liliane, Hategikimana was transferred from Rubavu to Huye two months ago after his health condition worsened.
“It’s sad, we received the news of Hategikimana’s death in the early hours of Wednesday.”
The former Musanze Fc defender underwent a tumor surgery on his neck in January in Musanze before he was transferred to Gisenyi General Hospital. When the conditions worsened, he was transferred to Huye two months ago.
On her twitter handle, the Minister of Sports and Culture condoled the familiesof the deceased pair saying, “Our deepest condolences to the families of Amadi and Hakizimana, we will always remember their contribution in developing Rwanda though football. RIP,”
Hategekimana, a former Amavubi defender, played for different clubs in Rwanda namely APR Fc, Rayon Sports, Kiyovu Fc, Atraco Fc, Marines, Espoir, AS Muhanga, Etincelles and until recently Musanze Fc before he got sick in January.
Burial arrangements for the late Hategikimana are yet to be confirmed.
