Burundian-Rwandan veteran coach Gilbert “Yaoundé” Kanyankore has died on the age of 72.
Information of his dying emerged on Saturday night, though the reason for dying had not been confirmed on the time of publication.
Experiences point out that Kanyankore, who retired from skilled teaching in 2025, had been battling most cancers.
Kanyankore was some of the revered soccer figures in East Africa, significantly in Rwanda and Burundi. Throughout a distinguished teaching profession, he managed a number of golf equipment within the area, together with APR FC, Rayon Sports activities and Kiyovu Sports activities in Rwanda, in addition to Burundi giants Important’O FC.
He additionally coached the Rwanda nationwide workforce, Amavubi, in 2016 and led Rwanda B to a historic CECAFA triumph.
At Important’O, Kanyankore loved a very profitable spell, serving to the membership win 21 trophies and cementing his standing as some of the influential figures in its historical past.
Kanyankore was born in Huye District in Rwanda’s Southern Province in 1954 earlier than shifting to Burundi together with his household at a younger age.
He spent most of his adolescence in Burundi, the place he accomplished his secondary schooling earlier than pursuing additional research within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
It was within the DRC that he started his soccer journey. After coaching in sports activities physiotherapy—a career he later practised in Burundi—he grew to become actively concerned in each enjoying and training.
Kanyankore started his teaching profession in 1989 as an assistant coach at Important’O FC earlier than ultimately taking cost of the membership.
He went on to educate Important’O for 3 a long time, changing into one of many longest-serving and most adorned coaches within the area.
