Wanyama, Olunga mourn Chapecoanse crash victims

Harambee Stars duo captain Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga as well as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) are among those in the local fraternity who mourned the victims and wished survivors of the plane crash involving Brazilian team Chapecoanse quick recovery on Tuesday.

Authorities have since confirmed that 76 people perished following the disaster that occurred outside Medellin in Colombia.

The Brazilian Serie A side was set to play the Colombian club team Atletico Nacional at Medellin’s Estadio Atanasio Girardot in the first leg of the South American Cup Finals on Wednesday.

As news of the tragic crash emerged, Wanyama and Kenya’s football united in grieving with the affected families.

“My thoughts and prayers with everyone associated with @ChapecoenseReal #ForcaChapecoense,” the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder tweeted on his official handle @VictorWanyama.

FKF posted a simple “Praying for all affected by this tragedy” on its Twitter account, ‏@Football_Kenya, with Sweden-based striker Olunga writing “#Chapecoense My thoughts and prayers are with you #Chapecoense,” on his Twitter account, ‏@OgadaOlunga.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants AFC Leopards wrote “The thoughts of us at #Ingwe & everyone in football are with you @ChapecoenseReal #ForçaChapecoense #Chapecoense.”

Brazil biggest star Neymar, Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, English clubs Southampton, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur are among those who expressed their sympathies for the club that has been decimated by the crash.

Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona paused their training sessions to hold a minute’s silence for the victims of the tragedy.

“My condolences on the crash of the plane carrying Chapecoense. A tough moment for football. Be strong and brave,” @IkerCasillas wrote on Twitter.

Chapecoense issued a brief statement saying: “May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation.”

The club was promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.