Within the Zaltbommel community, Mebrie was fairly well known. He played in the eighth team of Nivo-Sparta and later ended up in 2015 with
Elliz in Company, the foundation that supports refugees, among other things, in their search for work. The death of Mebrie is also a huge blow to founder Elze Frie. She is struck, softly said. Elze calls him the ultimate example for many refugees. "Mebrie was so pure, so eager to learn, so soft and sweet. He taught us how to handle the sewing machine, but in his spare time he was always studying. Behind the laptop. He wanted to know everything about geography, history and biology, for example. And well, so engaging. What is most helpful to me is his first beer. When I asked him if he still liked it, he giggled: 'Better not, I think I'll go home.' "
Nivo-Sparta commemorates killed club-mate Mebrie, who played in the eighth. © Bart Meesters
At football club Nivo-Sparta words sound similar. The club celebrated Mebrie on Saturday, before a major match of the first team, with
torches and a minute's silence . ,, I have experienced more sad things at the club, but this is all about things, "says Bert Wernke, president. ,, Mebrie really was part of the team and really participated in society." Something that confirms Henk Smit, the language coach of Mebrie. "He was rarely motivated to integrate. Realized very well that he also had to make contacts with Dutch people. He had the perfect mentality to quickly and successfully integrate.