Own goal: Why Kenyan soccer players die early

Soccer legend Peter Dawo (right) with his team mates the late George Zangi (left) and Austin Oduor in a dressing room at Nyayo stadium in 1987 (Photo: Denish Ochieng)

Tunisian giants, Esperance FC was in the country for a first leg CAF Cup Champions League clash against Gor Mahia at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County, which ended in a barren draw. Their coming flooded back memories of their December 5, 1987 Africa Cup Winners Cup (Mandela Cup) finals at Kasarani Stadium where Gor lifted their first and last continental trophy.

After 1987, both teams went separate ways until 2014 when they met in the preliminary stages of the Mandela Cup. My friend Abirry Wuoche Gweno recently asked me, “What would happen if Esperance came with a suggestion that after the match in Machakos, their veterans would wish to play the Gor Mahia veterans team of ’87 in a friendly charity game the way it is sometimes done in Europe?”