Former Mathare United goal keeper Emily Adhiambo dies

Former Mathare United goal keeper Emily Adhiambo [Photo: Courtesy]

Kenyan footballing fraternity is filled with grief after the death of former Mathare United goal keeper Emily Adhiambo nicknamed “jagoal” who died after battling kidney failure at Kenyatta national Hospital.

A group of football stakeholders have organized a match in her memory. The match which is scheduled for December 24, Sunday will involve Football Kenya Federation women’s premier league players, coaches, managers and club owners. The seven a side football tournament will be played at Kariobangi North primary school in Nairobi.

According to the organizers of the tournament, the event is tailored for fundraising to bankroll the funeral expenses for the late Adhiambo.

“We are hoping to register as many teams and players as possible. Every player will pay 200 Kenya shillings as participation fee.” said Harambee Startlets U-20 coach Jackline Juma who also is the tournament organizer.

Juma added that deceased had a huge hospital bill of Kshs 450, 000, which they are determined to settle by reaching out to as many people as possible.

Emily Adhiambo’s career

Adhiambo, who is also a former MOYAS FC goal keeper was and born and raised in Kariobangi North where she started playing football at a tender age. She earned a call up to represent Mathare United under14 girls as first choice shot stopper during the Norway cup tournament in Norway.

While eulogizing the Adhiambo, Juma praised Adhiambo as the most hard working goal keeper she ever heard in her career as a coach. To Juma, Adhiambo’s bravery and determination concealed her pains and severe illnesses that would later claim her life

“She played football with a passion and from a tender age, she developed through the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) ranks and later went on to play for the now disbanded MOYAS fc,” Said Juma, while speaking to Game Yetu.

Throughout her daily duties, very few people noticed or even knew Emily had kidney failure added former Harambee starlets’ captain, now coach Doreen Nabwire.

Emily Adhiambo won both the Women Premier League (WPL) and the Safaricom sponsored tournament Sakata ball which is now dubbed Chapa Dimba in 2011, in colour of Mathare United. She then proceed to join National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA).