Hakati fc is mourning the death of goalkeeper Vincent ‘vinny’ Ochieng who died on Friday morning at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.
The historical club which was formed in the early eighties took to social media through an official statement to inform football fans on the sad news.
“It is with great sorrow that we have lost our goalkeeper Vinny this morning. We had hopes that he was getting better and had plans to visit him as a team after our Saturday morning practice, may the good lord rest his soul in peace,” said the statement.
Vinny who was born on 2nd October 1999 collided with an opponent striker during a friendly match at Camp Toyoyo on Wednesday morning as Hakati fc tied 3-3 with Eastlanders fc.
The match had to be stopped when Vincent Ochieng lost consciousness and was rushed to the nearby Jamaa Hospital in Uhuru estate.
“He suffered a concussion according to doctors, but when we got there he was not responding. A friend doctor quickly advised us to take him to KNH because they had better facilities there to handle such cases. He responded well to medicine after he was diagnosed with a fracture on his left jaw and that gave us hope atleast,” a dejected Hakati fc head Coach Stanley ‘samco’ Achima said.
Hakati fc is currently playing in the rebel Extreme super eight division two Nairobi league. The club is second in the league tournament with three games to go.
“What can I say? This is life I guess, it has caught us by surprise and we have to take it as it has come. We now have to mourn, but tomorrow we soldier on. On Thursday after the evening practice session we agreed that we will play and win this league for Vinny. He was such a fighter whether he was on the bench or on the field,” retorted former Chemilil sugar fc defender Peter ‘wome’ Mwachi.
Vinny who earned his first national call up at age 15 for Harambee stars under 17 side is widely known for his acrobatics antics between the goal posts. The fans widely likened him to former Colombian legend Bruce Heguita.
“This is just too much for me. Vinny was my little brother. I spent most of my afternoons with him and coach Chale in Hamza. It has happened though and we can’t change it, may God rest his soul in peace,” Nakumatt FC striker Kepha ‘aswambo’ Aswani said.
