Sad! Former National Team Goalkeeper shot Dead During Ramadhan Prayer

Sad! Former National Team Goalkeeper shot Dead During Ramadhan Prayer

By Niyi Busari

Former Somalia National Team goalkeeper Abdiwali Olad Kanyare Gaatamow has been shot dead by unknown gunmen while observing Ramadan prayers in a mosque located in Afgoye town on Thursday evening, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The Somali Football Federation, SFF, announced the death ofthe 39-year-old, a notable figure in the national team before his retirement in 2015. Until his death, he was the goalkeeping coach of Ocean Staes youth team in Mogadishu, Somalia.

He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside the mosque while performing one of Ramadan prayer called Tarahwih, the assailants, however, escaped after committing the heinous crime.

The SFF called on the Somali government to investigate the brutal killing and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“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,” Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab said.

He was born in the city of Beledweyn on 15 May 1980 but grew up in Mogadishu.

He played for different football clubs such as Bariga Dhexe FC, Horseed Sports Club and Mogadishu City Sports Club, previously known as Banadir Sports Club.

He was the Somalia national team goalkeeper from 2000 to 2015 when he retired from the international football to go into coaching.

Until his death, he held CAF license B coaching certificate and travelled the length and breadth of the country serving the SFF as youth football instructor, spreading knowledge and teachings about the game among the youths.