Former Harambee Stars Head Coach and founder of the defunct Nakuru Youth Olympic Centre, Sammy Nyongesa, is dead.
Nyongesa passed away at the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital at 1am on Friday.
“It’s true coach Nyongesa is no more. He died at 1am.
“I have lost my best friend and husband. I have lost a strong pillar in my life. I leave everything to God,” his wife Rose Atieno Nyongesa confirmed.
Nyongesa had an incredible career in football as a player and coach, and many stars attribute their success to the man's efforts to mould them.
In Nakuru, he dies a legend having led Nakuru All-Stars FC to their first top-flight league title in 1963.
Nyongesa began his playing career in Kitale turning out for Kitale Elgon Stars in the 1960s under coach Jackson Munialo and Shem Shimoto.
He was called up to the National Team at 15 years old, representing Kenya in the Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda where Harambee Stars lost to the Uganda Cranes.
Among Nyongesa's numerous accolades, two stand out as he was named Player of the Year in 1977 and Coach of The Year in 1997.
He also served as AFC Leopards' Team Manager when Alfred Sambu was at the club's helm.
