Big gap for Simba as star dies in accident

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By Simon Mmbando Dar es Salaam. Patrick Mafisango’s death on Thursday is one of the greatest tragedies seen on Tanzanian soccer history.The Congolese born midfielder’s sudden death has shocked many soccer fans since he had played a key role for Simba’s triumph in the recently ended Vodacom Premier league after his move from Azam FC. A former TP Mazembe player dies of a car accident on Thursday morning in Dar es Salaam. He died  during wee hours of the morning in  an accident involving a motorcycle, as the car he was driving veered off the road and crashed into a trench. The holding midfielder, the third top scorer in Tanzania this season with 12 goals, was called up by Rwanda coach Sredrojevic for June’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Mafisango, who is reported to be  part of Rwanda’s squad for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, met his death a day after returning from Al-Shandy, Sudan where  Simba were on Sunday knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup with the disease missing one of the penalties during a shoot-out. Mafisango, during an interview with this reporter while in Sudan said that he was attracting interest from a Chinese club as his contract with Simba has come to an end. But he had interest to re-sign with Msimbazi street club before he could board a place to Kinshasa to see his family and return to Dar es Salaam for the forthcoming Kagame Cup edition had it not been his death. Mafisango made a huge impact in his short spell for Simba and as a mark of respect his No 30 shirt  has been retired by the club in his memory, according to Simba’s vice chairman, Geofrey Nyange, nicknamed Kaburu. Speaking during a farewell ceremony at TCC Sigara Club in Dar es Salaam, Simba Sports Club chairman, Ismail Aden Rage said that Mafisango will never be forgotten by those who had the honour of watching him. Mafisango was loveable, charming and compassionate character . He was a man of jokes and always made them with his close team-mate, Haruna Moshi, alias Boban, who flew with the dead body to the deceased’s native country, Congo DRC. Mafisango was a great football figure in Africa but he became even popular after joining SImba. The transfer from Azam to Simba gave him the opportunity to shine on a bigger stage and showcase his talents, having scored not less than 13 goals in the previous league season. Rage says that Mafisango will forever be remembered as not only one of the best box-to-box midfielders, , but one of the most talented defensive midfielders in recent years. The recent Mainland Premier League title will be some of his honour as a player .