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Allan Thigo, Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia icon, passes away
Allan Thigo as Gor Mahia coach in 2008. He led Gor Mahia to victory unbeaten in the 1976 league.
Allan Thigo, Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia legend, has died.
His family confirmed that the midfielder, who played for Gor Mahia and the national football team in the '70s and '80s, had passed away in Bungoma.
Regarded as one of the greatest attacking midfielders Kenya has ever produced, Thigo died on Saturday, May 9, evening at his home in Bungoma County.
His condition deteriorated en route to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The cause of his death was not immediately known.
“He passed away some 30 minutes ago,” his wife, Dorcas Simiyu, told Nation Sport by phone on Saturday evening.
Thigo had been unwell for a long time and had been in and out of the hospital.
He played for Kenya in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a fan favourite thanks to his exceptional skill and commanding presence on the pitch.
From left: Kenyan football legends Allan Thigo, Mahmoud Abbas and Joe Kadenge when the latter was being inducted into the Kenya football Hall of Fame on December 9, 2017.
He was nicknamed “90-minute Man” because he was rarely substituted during matches, and “midfield general” because of how he dominated play in the midfield.
Thigo was part of the Kenyan team that made history by qualifying for their first-ever Afcon finals, which were held in Cameroon.
Kenya finished fifth in the eight-team tournament after failing to progress past the group stage.
At the club level, he featured mostly for giants Gor Mahia.
He was player-cum-coach when Gor won the local league unbeaten in 1976. He held the position in 1979 when Gor also lifted the league.
Still, as a player-cum-coach, Thigo played a key role in Gor’s qualification for the 1979 Africa Cup Winners Cup, where they lost 8-0 in the final to Cameroon’s Canon Yaounde. Thigo also played for Kisumu Hot Stars.
After retiring from football, he transitioned to coaching. He returned to Gor for a second coaching stint in 2008.
Gor Mahia eulogised him as a player who contributed immensely to the club’s success.
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of former player and coach Allan Thigo, a figure whose dedication and passion for football were remarkable,” Gor Mahia said in a statement on X.
“Thigo had a solid 12 seasons with us between 1970 and 1981, scoring 88 goals and leading us to the 1976 league title as a player/coach. He was also part of the squad in the 1979 Africa Cup Winners Cup. His contribution to Kenyan football and the Gor Mahia family will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates, and fans during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” Gor Mahia added.
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