CAF pays tribute to Swaleh after deadly crash

Former CECAFA President Leodegar Tenga said Hussein Swaleh spent his life saving football as he paid a glowing tribute to the administrator who lost his life in the ill-fated Boeing 737.

Tenga was part of the delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that jetted into the country to condole with the family of Swaleh, a former Secretary General of the defunct Kenya Football Federation (KFF).

Before meeting his death in Sunday’s Ethiopian Airlines crash that claimed 156 other lives, Swaleh had been a CAF match commissioner during last Friday’s  clash between Ismaily and TP Mazembe in Alexandria, Egypt.

Speaking at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) offices in Nairobi, Tenga eulogized Swaleh as a commited football administrator who committed most of his adult life to the game of football.

“In a few words, he was a committed football administrator who lived most of his adult life saving football. We are very greatful for his services and really miss him a lot. Hussein to us was not just a colleague, he was a member of the larger family of football in Africa,” he said.

His son Ashraf Hussein who spoke on behalf of the late Swaleh’s family eulogized him as a responsible father and that they will put their commitment in keeping his dreams and legacy alive.

“Mr Hussein was a responsible father and a responsible gentleman as well, one whom we all celebrate and as a family we will do everything that his legacy continues as his expectations.”