{{short description|Namibian footballer (1984-2015)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Franklin April | fullname = | image = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1984|4|18|df=yes}} | birth_place = Windhoek, South West Africa | death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|10|18|1984|4|18|df=yes}} | height = {{height|m=1.78|precision=0}} | position = Defender | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Diamond United | youthyears2 = 2000–2001 | youthclubs2 = Civics | years1 = 2001–2014 | clubs1 = Civics | caps1 = | goals1 = | nationalyears1 = 2003–2008 | nationalteam1 = Namibia | nationalcaps1 = 20 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | pcupdate = | ntupdate = }} '''Franklin April''' (18 April 1984 – 18 October 2015) was a Namibian football defender who played for FC Civics and the Namibia national football team.
==Club career== Nicknamed ''Piele'', April was born in Khomasdal, Windhoek, and started playing football as a striker and he was called-up for the national Olympic team in 2000. He was spotted and subsequently signed by Civics, winning three back-to-back Premiership titles with the club between 2005 and 2007.<ref name="RIP">{{cite news|url=https://neweralive.na/posts/tales-legends-forgotten-r-i-p-franklin-piele-april-1981-2015| date=30 October 2015 | title=Tales of the Legends: Gone but not forgotten...... R.I.P. Franklin “Piele” April, 1981 – 2015| newspaper=New Era}}</ref> He remained at the club for the entirety of his career, retiring after the 2013/14 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.namibiansun.com/news/quiet-april-will-be-missed| date=20 October 2015 | title=‘QUIET’ APRIL WILL BE MISSED |last=Mawonga | first=Hector| newspaper= Namibian Sun}}</ref>
==International career== He was a part of the Namibia squad at the 2008 African Cup of Nations<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/08a-det.html | date=14 January 2016 | title=African Nations Cup 2008 - Match Details|last=Courtney | first=Barrie | work=RSSSF}}</ref> and earned 20 caps, scoring no goals.
==Personal life== April died from an asthma attack in October 2015.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.newera.com.na/2015/10/20/brave-warriors-stalwart-franklin-april-dies/ | date=20 October 2015 | title=Former Brave Warriors stalwart Franklin April dies | newspaper=New Era | access-date=20 October 2015 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024808/https://www.newera.com.na/2015/10/20/brave-warriors-stalwart-franklin-april-dies/ | url-status=usurped }}</ref> He was survived by his fiancée Blanche Wimmert and three daughters. He was self-empoyed and worked in the retail business.<ref name="RIP"/>
==Honours== '''Civics''' * Namibia Premier Football League: 2005, 2006, 2007 *NFA Cup: 2003, 2008
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.civicsfc.com/index.php?c=ppf_franklin Player profile] * {{sports links}}
{{Namibia Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:April, Franklin}} Category:1984 births Category:2015 deaths Category:Footballers from Windhoek Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Namibian men's footballers Category:Namibia men's international footballers Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Bucks Buccaneers FC players Category:Namibia Premier League players Category:21st-century Namibian sportsmen
{{Namibia-footy-bio-stub}}