Africa’s sports stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant

Since news of the tragic death of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his young daughter, Gianna, broke on Sunday evening, some of Africa’s greatest living sports men and women have paid their respects to one of basketball’s greatest icons.

The retired LA Lakers player died as his private helicopter crashed into a hillside in California, killing all 9 people on board, including the pilot.

Bismack Biyombo, NBA star from the Democratic Republic of Congo, tweeted “Devastated to hear the news about @kobebryant. He was the best ever to do it. 

“Praying for the Bryant family during this difficult time. Your legacy will live forever, you inspired and transformed a lot of us.”

Another former NBA player, Congo’s Dikembe Mutombo, tweeted “Heartbroken. The NBA and basketball world have lost a big giant, a father, husband, and a legend of the game, Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna died today. RIP my brother! @nba @nbacares”

Retired footballers from Ivory Coast, Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba also took to social media to pay their respects.

Toure wrote “So sad… RIP Kobe and Gianna Bryant”, whilst Drogba tweeted “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo… I just can’t believe it… I can’t believe this RIP.”

Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah tweeted “My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of Kobe and those who died in the terrible accident.”

Photo credit: abc7.com