‘Quiet’ April will be missed

The local football fraternity was thrown into mourning on Sunday when it learnt that former Civics and Brave Warriors defender Franklin April passed away after playing in a social league match. While details of the exact cause of April’s demise remains sketchy, it is understood that he complained of struggling to breathe after playing in the social match. Civics’ team manager, Tim Isaacs explained that since he was not around over the weekend – and had by yesterday morning not spoken to the family – it was premature to speculate as to what happened. “I’ve heard different versions of what happened and I think it is only fair that I first talk to the family to hear what they have to say,” he told Namibian Sun yesterday. April was a one-club footballer, who turned out for the Mighty Civilians from 2001 until his retirement at the end of the 2013/14 season. “He only played for Civics and he was one of the most committed and disciplined players… And I wished him well when he told me he wanted to retire from football some two years ago,” Isaacs said before adding that April was a relatively soft spoken person. “He was a very quiet boy and you hardly noticed him at times,” he said. April is said to have had 10 caps for the Brave Warriors with the highlight being his inclusion in the national team that represented Namibia at the 2008 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). “I can only wish his family, fiancée and child strength during this time,” Isaacs concluded. April had turned 31 on April 18. HECTOR MAWONGA