Former Harambee Stars Deputy Coach Sammy Nyongesa is dead

Former Harambee Stars Deputy Coach Sammy Nyongesa [COURTESY]

Nyongesa who died yesterday at 1 am at the age of 67 years after a two year battle with prostate cancer leaves behind his widow, Ruth Nyongesa and nine children, seven boys and two girls.

His body has been preserved at Nakuru War Memorial Mortuary pending the burial arrangements according to Mrs Nyongesa.

“That is the wish of Almighty God. He is the one who provides and takes away at will,” she sobbed.

His death follows a battle with prostate cancer, which was discovered at its critical stage forcing the fallen former international midfielder to undergo specialized therapies and conservatory medication according to his eldest son Michael Baraza.

Nyongesa was one of the pioneer coaches who started National Youth Centres in the early seventies across the country while based in Nakuru with the assistance of the German Government, which seconded tactician Ernest Cruntz to supervise the programme.

Hundreds of talented youngsters have passed through his (Nyongesa) hands while he was the Head Coach of Kenya Farmers Association Football Club and at the National Team from the seventies to the nineties.

They include legend players Ambrose ‘Golden Boy’ Ayoyi (Scarlet), the late Sammy Abida (Transcom), Sammy Taabu (Abeingo/AFC Leopards), Joseph Odera (Kisumu Posta) and Isaiah Otieno (KFA), among others from South Rift.

Meanwhile, two of Nyongesa’s sons who are on missions abroad are expected to jet back into the country any time.

Baraza said his younger brothers John Collins Nyongesa, a US Marine and Peter James Nyongesa who is based in Bahrain are expected soon.