Kenyan football legend Austin Oduor dies
Football legend Austin Origi Oduor at a past match.
What you need to know:
- In a phone interview with Nation Sport on Wednesday from Belgium, Oduor’s brother Mike Okoth confirmed the sad news.
- “I have just received the sad news about the death of Austin and I’m very sad. It is shocking since Austin was not sick. I have sent somebody to his home so that I can know what happened,” said Okoth who also played for Harambee Stars.
Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia legend Austin “Makamu” Oduor is dead.
In a phone interview with Nation Sport on Wednesday from Belgium, Oduor’s brother Mike Okoth confirmed the news.
“I have just received the sad news about the death of Austin and I’m very sad. It is shocking since Austin was not sick. I have sent somebody to his home so that I can know what happened,” said Okoth.
“His death is a big blow to us, it is shocking and I will be waiting to get the details from the person I have sent to his home. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
Reports indicate that the former no-nonsense defender and coach passed away Tuesday night at a Kakamega Hospital where he had been rushed for treatment.
Football legend Austin Origi Oduor during an interview at Makunga village in Kakamega county on April 16, 2023.
Oduor is the father of former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi and uncle to Belgian striker Divock Origi.
Oduor was among the former Harambee Stars players, who on Saturday gave a motivational talk to players of Dero FC and Siger FC at Nyilima Sports Ground in Siaya.
The event was organised by Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management.
His brother, Okoth, starred for Harambee Stars as a striker in the 1990s and early 2000, is the father of Divock Origi.
Oduor is best remembered for leading Gor Mahia as captain to their historic victory in the 1987 Mandela Cup.
K’Ogalo lifted the prestigious title at a packed 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi following their 3-3 aggregate draw with Tunisia giants Esperance.
Gor lifted the title on the away goal rule. He captained Harambee Stars between 1988 and 1990.
Following Oduor’s demise, former Harambee Stars player Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, who grew up with him in Ziwani, Nairobi said: “He was always a person of integrity. He stood up for what is right and when I came back I found that he still held those values.” Former Gor Mahia forward Mike ‘Kwasa kwasa’ Otieno eulogised Oduor as a caring man.
“When I joined Gor Mahia, I was the youngest in the team. Austin was like a father figure to many of us because he protected us from bullying. He was the best captain I ever played under,” said the Secretary General of Gor Mahia Legend Welfare Group where Oduor was the chairman.
Owalo also paid tribute to Oduor.
“It is only three days ago that Austin and other former Kenyan Soccer Internationals paid a courtesy call on me at our Gangu Village home in Asembo. I remember with nostalgia the memorable moments we have spent together with Austin, the guidance I got from him from time to time, the many initiatives we pursued together in supporting grassroots football activities, the conceptualisation and operationalising of the Gor Mahia Legends’ welfare sustainability fund;and the plans we had for the future. I have lost a friend; an elder brother; a Gurdian; and a role model in life.,” said Owalo.
“At this moment of grief, I join the Origi family; friends; relatives; and the entire Kenyan soccer fraternity in mourning one of the best and perhaps most disciplined and respected footballers Kenya has ever produced. Fare there well Austin “Makamu” Oduor!.”
