Allan Thigo as Gor Mahia coach in 2008. He led Gor Mahia to victory unbeaten in the 1976 league.
Football legend Allan Thigo never wanted to publicly ask for help despite his suffering.
“Thura – village mate, I don’t want sympathy; I don’t want to be a beggar so that politicians can use my situation for mileage.”
These were the words of former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia and attacking midfielder Allan Thigo in an unpublished interview early this year.
The Gor legend passed away on Saturday evening at his home in Bungoma County, aged 77 years.
The celebrated football icon, who hailed from Muhoroni in Kisumu County, will be cremated on Wednesday in Kisumu. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday from 2pm, at the Kisumu Social Hall (Grace Onyango Hall). Football legends and government dignitaries are expected to attend.
“For cremation, there are certain requirements, and we are on course to meet them even as we welcome everyone to help us give our father a decent send-off,” said his son, Allan.
Allan added that his father had indicated in his will that he wished to be cremated within four days of his death.
While undergoing treatment in a Bungoma hospital, Thigo granted Nation Sport a 34-minute interview on March 23 where he enumerated his battle with prostate cancer, saying he was ready to fight and conquer the disease.
“I was brave on the pitch. I fought and won matches. Even with this burden, I will not relegate myself to the mercy of politicians who will capitalise on it for their selfish interests. I’m strong, and my trust is in God,” he said, with his wife Dorcas Simiyu seated beside him.
Thigo, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021, found solace in God and the support of a dear friend during his time of need. That friend was former Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who had passed on 165 days earlier.
Gor Mahia coach, the legendary Allan Thigo, shows his ball juggling skills during a training session at the Nairobi City Stadium.
Thiga confessed that Raila had walked with him through the difficult journey of cancer treatment for years.
Thigo said he had been friends with Raila, son of Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, since the 1970s, when both of them were at the peak of their football careers. Raila later ventured into politics.
Speaking in a low and sombre tone, Thigo admitted he had been deeply affected by Raila’s death, just as many of the ODM leader’s allies and admirers had been.
He recounted how the former premier had, on countless occasions, facilitated his costly cancer treatment in India and the Middle East.
From more than 13 expensive chemotherapy sessions to dialysis, MRI scans, ultrasounds, biopsies, medication, flights, and even daily upkeep abroad, Thigo said Raila had given everything to support him. One chemo session in Kenya could cost over Sh100,000.
“Raila was not only my friend but a great pillar in my situation. I feel sad that he died. I couldn’t attend his funeral, but my friendship with him goes beyond the sting of death. He never shouted about it; he never went public that he was helping me. I owe Raila a lot in my fight against prostate cancer,” he said.
Gor Mahia star midfielder Allan Thigo juggles the ball after a training session at City Stadium in Nairobi in 1979. He singled out Nzoia as one of the teams that caused Gor big problems whenever they met. PHOTO | FILE |
“My wife here can attest to how Raila came through for us. He used to send something and ask her to use it to prepare meals for me and meet our other needs.”
During the interview, Thigo remained adamant that his need for support should not be made public, a stance strongly echoed by his wife.
“We don’t want people to use my husband’s sickness to boast about how they have helped him. We believe in God, and it is Him we trust to continue this journey with us,” said Simiyu.
The same firmness Thigo displayed in his hospital bed was evident throughout his football career, which was marked by immense success.
One notable example came in 1973, when Gor Mahia patron then Dan Owino had a bitter disagreement with club chairman Peter Anyumba, secretary-general Mahallon Danga Obiero, and Zack Ramogo.
Owino broke away with a large group of Siaya-based players who formed the core of K’Ogalo, including William “Chege” Ouma, James Sianga “Abawa”, Daniel Nicodemus “Arudhi”, Fred Siranga, Herman Ariya, Odhiambo Gor, Peter Omaya “Japolo”, John Odwor “Nyathi Jwach”, and John Otieno “Hatari”, to form Luo Union.
But Thigo, alongside Jackson Aluko and John Chore from Kano, stood firm and remained loyal to Anyumba’s administration, which embarked on a fresh recruitment drive, tapping talent from schools such as Kisumu Day High School, Kisumu Boys High School, Onjiko Boys High School, and Otieno Oyoo High School.
Those young talents helped K’Ogalo reclaim glory and win the league title in 1974.
As player-coach, Thigo later guided Gor Mahia to the final of the CAF African Cup in 1979, becoming the first club in East and Central Africa to reach this stage. They narrowly lost to Canon Sportif de Yaoundé.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to Thigo, his name and the nicknames he earned on the pitch, such as “Midfield General,” “Ogango,” and “Wuon Pap” will remain etched in the memories of football fans forever.
In his illustrious career, Thigo scored a record 88 goals for Gor Mahia and earned 86 caps for the Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars.
Thigo may be gone, but his courage, humility, and brilliance on the pitch will forever remain part of Kenya’s football heritage.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
