Gor mourns the demise of former ace, coach Pro Otieno

Gor mourns the demise of former ace, coach Pro Otieno

Gor Mahia is mourning the demise of youth team assistant coach and former midfielder, Zablon ‘Pro’ Otieno who passed on Friday morning.

Otieno, who also played for Posta Rangers passed away at the Jamaa Hospital in Nairobi’s Buruburu estate where he undergoing treatment after suffering an apparent heart attack at dawn.

According to Gor; Secretary General, Ronald Ngala, the deceased was taken ill just before the start of the last month’s KPL Under 20 tournament and missed his team’s run to the semi-finals where they were eliminated by eventual champions, Ulinzi Warriors.

“I can confirm Zablon is not with us anymore. It’s a big loss to us having served as a coach and a player.  I convey my condolences to the family and friends, and the entire football fraternity,” Ngala said.

The late Otieno was part of the K’Ogalo side that lifted the then Football Kenya Limited Cup in 2008 that has since been renamed GOtv Shield.

He was elevated to Gor’s technical bench in 2011 but was dismissed a year later along the entire coaching staff led by Cameroonian Anaba Awono following dismal results.

His last remarkable success in football as a coach was at last year’s Koth Biro tournament where he led A 1000 street of Kaloleni to lift the trophy.

In his latent coaching career ‘Pro’ led Gor Under 20 to two successive titles winning the County League in 2014 and last year, they retained the crown before their elevation to the National Division 2 League this season.

 

He featured for K’Ogalo as a midfielder in the late 90’s until 2007 when he decamped to Mumias Sugar.

His stay at the Millers did not last as two years on he made a comeback to Gor and also played for Posta.

He was appointed the K’Ogalo Senior team technical trainer in 2010 under Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, currently Posta head coach and served in that position until December 2012 when the entire technical bench was fired to pave way for the Croatian coach Dradvko Logarusic and his new team.

 

Former Gor Secretary General; Chris Omondi hatched the idea of forming a junior team in 2014 and ‘Pro’ was appointed the the assistant coach, a position he held till his demise.

 

“Gor junior team has not performed well this season because of the unavailability ‘Pro’ whose health was failing. It is sad he has departed but there is nothing we can do about God’s will,” Omondi eulogised.

 

Tributes poured for the departed ace on social media as the devastating news spread through the Green Army.

“He packed lethal shots on his left foot during his playing days at Gor Mahia FC. His deft touches could still be seen as recently as during Gor Mahia Youth team training sessions, Pro would occasionally take to the pitch with the youngsters and was a great mentor.

“One of his ambitions was to advance his coaching skills I remember one afternoon during lunch at Burma Market he wished one day he would also get a chance to attend the famous Dutch coaching courses. But his sun has set and the game has lost a passionate contributor to growth and development,” Odhiambo Kgm posted on Facebook.

Otieno was born in Nairobi’s Eastlands backyard, Kaloleni in mid 70’s where he grew.  He featured for various teams including Black Mamba, Re union and was among the founder players of Mathare United.

He is survived by a wife and 3 kids.

Additional reporting by Milton ‘Jaka Black’ Ochieng

 

Tags:

GOR MAHIA Posta Rangers ronald ngala Zablon 'Pro' Otieno

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