As I was having a late breakfast this morning (7a.m.), I was astounded by the news that the former Kenya National Football Team Coach,Harambee Stars, Reinhard Fabisch, died of cancer. He was 58. Fabisch also coached the National Teams of Zimbabawe, Unite Arab Emirates and recently, Benin, in the Africa Cup of Nations where he was accused of match fixing.

I was young when he first coached Kenya but I had already taken a keen interest in local football since my dad was a major fan who never missed going to the stadium. Fabisch coached a highly successful Kenya team that reached the final of the 4th All Africa Games which were being hosted by Kenya. Apart from being CECAFA Champions five times, The Kenya team has not had other successful runs before or after that, including not ever qualifying for the World Cup or going past the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations. The current team, though, offers a glimmer of hope.

Fabisch 1987 team boasted the skills of captain Austin “Makamu” Oduor, Abbass Khamis Magongo “Zamalek”, arguably the best player ever produced by Kenya, Wilberforce Mulamba, Sammy Onyango “Jogoo” amongst others. Gor Mahia then, produced the bulk of the National Team players. Today, Gor Mahia is a pale shadow of its former glory, and its place has been taken by youthful teams like Matahre United and experienced and well resourced teams like Tusker FC.

Fabisch ,like many other coaches of Harambee Stars, had his brushes with the ever-corrupt Kenya Football Federation.

Kenya still longs for a coach we used to sing and chant about ,”Fabisch for President”.

May God rest his soul in eternal peace.