Tragic news from Africa, as Aberdeen Shikoyi, the captain of the Kenyan women’s rugby team, has died after sustaining a spinal injury last week.

She was leading her team against Uganda in the first leg of the Elgon Cup when an opponent’s knee hit her spine during a tackle, and she was further injured in the scramble for the ball afterwards.

She was airlifted from the pitch and taken to hospital in Nairobi for surgery. She passed away on Saturday night, a few hours after her team defeated Uganda in the second leg to claim the Cup.

Aberdeen Shikoyi was captain of her club, Mwamba Invaders, and had represented her country for twelve years in dozens of matches. The Kenyan Rugby Union issued the following statement.

“The KRU confirms the death of Aberdeen Shikoyi. We and the entire rugby fraternity are thankful for her service, dedication and leadership offered to the game of rugby and is saddened by her passing on. We also pay tribute to Uganda Rugby Union and the medical teams in Uganda and Kenya who ensured that she received the best medical treatment possible.”