Silence at the Market Road pitches for Abdulaziz Munye

FOOTBALLERS held an emotional minute’s silence on the pitch following the sudden death of the co-founder of a club set up to help combat youth violence.

Camden United, which was originally launched to provide free sport to young people at risk of falling into anti-social behaviour and knife crime, is in mourning for Abdulaziz Munye.

The former Edith Neville and Quintin Kynaston school pupil, who grew up and lived in Levita House, Somers Town, died aged just 26 at Bart’s Hospital on Friday. Players from both teams paid tribute as United faced Copenhagen Youth Project in an Islington Midweek League Premier Division match at Market Road in Islington.

Hafid Ali, a close relative and ­ co-founder of Camden United, said: “People were asking me whether we should cancel the game but I wanted to bring people together. “It’s what Abdulaziz would have wanted us to do. It was an aggressive game, it was fiery. It was everything he would have loved. We had a big minute’s silence and there have been so many messages from other teams around Camden.”

Mr Munye co-founded Camden United

The club was set up by Mr Munye and Mr Ali following the murders of two brothers within six months of each other. Sadiq Aadam was killed in Malden Road in 2018 just six months after hi brother Mohamed was stabbed to death in Mornington Crescent.

Mr Ali said: “We had lost a fair few friends to knife crime before and when that happened I think we were in shock and didn’t know what to do. We thought the best way to bring people together would be through football. We saw how for different people there were barriers – some couldn’t afford to play, some couldn’t travel. So everything we do is free, but we rely on funding and grants. We are Cam­den’s highest rank club, just below semi-pro.”

Mr Ali said he had been shocked by Mr Munye’s sudden death but that he had been helped by the waves of support and tributes that have flooded in since Friday.

A port-mortem was due to take place yesterday (Wednesday) at St Pancras mortuary.

But relatives have told the New Journal he had been in pain two days before his death and had been in and out of hospital.

After collapsing in a cab during shopping, he died in hospital after a bleed on the brain that may have been connected to a stroke.

Mr Munye’s first cousin, Ali Sufi, 26, said: “I saw him a week ago and there was nothing wrong with him. But a few days later he was coughing blood and saying he was feeling unwell. We were at St Bart’s and they came out and said they gave him a 1 per cent chance, then 10 minutes later he was gone.

“He wanted to get married in the future, that was part of the plan,” said Mr Sufi. “But really his whole thing was football. His talent was incredible. He played central midfield. He was like an Iniesta, the way he could swing the ball. He was at Watford Academy. He was really good. But injuries plagued him, and so it didn’t happen for him.”

The death of a healthy footballer has brought back memories of Christian Eriksen’s collapse during a game of the European Champion­ships last year.

Mr Sufi said: “With Eriksen, they were so quick getting to him. The timing with these things is so crucial.”

More than £7,000 has been donated to a fundraising web page set up in memory of Mr Munye, a Chelsea fan and music lover whose funeral is tomorrow (Friday) in Edmonton. Supporters hope the funds will be enough for those living abroad to get access to clean drinking water.

Mr Sufi added: “He would smile and he was the loveliest person. Had no issues with people. We had a really close bond. We have been through hard things together. If you walked into a room he’d be the first one who talked to anyone. He tried to make everyone laugh. He had that nature that you wanted to be around. He laughed and had a joke.

“It was amazing how he set up Camden United. It’s stopped rival gangs by helping people get to know each other. It keeps supporting young people and it helps with crime. But it’s the community feel that is so important.”

Tributes have also been made by leader of the council Georgia Gould. She said: “This is such a shocking and sad loss. All our thoughts in Camden are with his family and friends. Abdulaziz shone so much light with his life, inspiring so many young people through Camden United.”

Camden Mayor Nasim Ali said: “This is tragic news. My condolences to Abdulaziz’s family. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.” Camden Giving, which provides funding to Camden United, said his death was “a huge loss to our community”.

He leaves behind his loving parents, three brothers and a sister. The fundraising page is on the Launch Good website.