Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The football fraternity is mourning the death of Coach Abdulrahman Chol Rajab who died in a car accident on Wednesday in Juba.
Rajab was coaching Al Rabita FC Juba and was also a former member of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Board of Directors and Chairman of the Coaches Committee.
On Wednesday, the late Rajab was reportedly knocked down by a car in Malakia, Juba town.
Rajab’s body was taken to Juba international airport to be flown to Ruweng, his hometown, for burial yesterday. The SSFA vice president, Charles Udwar, described Rajab’s passing as shocking and worrying to the country’s football governing body.
“It was shocking news for us to learn of his passing in a tragic accident. On behalf of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), and on my own behalf, I would like to send my condolences to the family of the late Coach Abdulrahman Chol Rajab.
“It is a great loss for us; we dearly miss him and his services, but again, it is how God calls his people in different ways. Because one can’t imagine the way the accident happened, I believe it was a call from God. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr Udwar bemoaned.
The vice president revealed that the late Rajab was one of the few coaches who had a B licence in the Republic of South Sudan. With Rajab’s death, only three coaches have accreditation in South Sudan.
According to Udwar, Rajab had played a big role in coaching different teams, with the last one being Yei Joint Stars, which he led to a tournament in Kenya after SSFA engaged him.
He said Rajab was delegated duties as per CAF requirements, which allow only a person with at least a license of A or B.
“Rajab has participated fully in the development of football from the beginning. He has been on the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Board of Directors Member and Chairman of the Coaches Committee at the national level two times,” he said.
Mr Udwar added that the late coach worked as an assistant coach for the South Sudan national team, as well as other Juba Local Football Association clubs.
Dependable coach
He said his death came at a time when the country’s football association was trying to upgrade the coaches to levels A and B, adding that Rajab was supposed to be among the instructors who were to train others.
“We lost a great man. He was a very peaceful person, very understanding, social and someone who loved and used to attend football activities in Juba,” he stated.
“He really can be remembered for his role in the development of football in the country.”
Mr Udwar encouraged South Sudanese coaches, players, and football lovers to stand in solidarity with the family of the deceased in this difficult time.
The SSFA deputy president further called on them to work hard to get someone like him, someone who can do what the late coach has been doing to enable football development missions to continue in the country.
South Sudan men’s senior team head coach, Stefano Cusin, described the late Rajab as a positive, nice, and smiley guy who could do a lot for the development of football in South Sudan.
“I can describe him as a fortunate professional, excited, and a good leader based on the few times we spent together,” Cusin said.
Mansur Abdalla, one of the close friends of the deceased, said it was so sad to lose someone like Rajab in such an accident.
“It was a terrible death; no one could have predicted it, but God’s plans are always unknown; may his soul rest in peace.”
When asked whether the suspect was arrested, Mr Abdalla said: “Definitely, when such an accident happens, you expect the person to be arrested or even hand himself over to police.”
He added, “I understand the person is with the police and waiting for trial, depending on the understanding of the two families. He might be in Malakia Police Station, but I am not sure,” he said.
The late Rajab’s body will be laid to rest in his home village in Rwenge Administrative Area.
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