The Ugandan government will fly home the body of former Cranes and IBV Vestmannaeyjar goalkeeper, Abel Dhaira, it has been confirmed.

The young goalkeeper succumbed to abdominal cancer at an Icelandic hospital on Sunday. Both Abel’s father, Bright Dhaira, also a former Cranes goalkeeper, and presidential press secretary, Linda Nabusayi, confirmed the latest development.

“Government to meet expenses for the return of the body of the late Cranes goal keeper #RipDhaira,” she posted via her Twitter handle.

Dhaira Snr said: “Two of my other sons and my brother are in Kampala to liaise with Fufa and state house officials to sort out further details.”

Dhaira, who died aged 28, was diagnosed with abdominal cancer late last year, though other sources claim early this year. After failing to improve, he was flown back to his Icelandic club before breathing his last on Sunday