Samson Masanta Osoro, the supremely talented defender\/midfielder who played for Kogalo between 1975 and 1978 has passed on. Osoro mostly played in defence but unlike many defenders of that era he showed excellent technique, smooth\/deft touches and was a brilliant passer out of the backline where played alongside Mike Ogolla “Machine”, Paul Oduwo “Cobra” amongst others.<\/p>\n
(Additional reporting from Daily Nation)<\/p>\n
Born in Nyanchwa Village of Nyaribari Chache, Osoro was instrumental in Gor\u2019s success in the mid 70\u2019s but was not in the team that reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup, losing to Canon Younde of Cameroon in 1979.<\/p>\n
One of his team mates, Allan Thigo, praised the former player who died two weeks ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe were always confident with Osoro in the backline. He knew how to calculate his tackles and rarely played dirty,\u2019\u2019 said Thigo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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It is after he retired that John Bobby Ogolla, who joined Gor in 1976, actively took up the role in defence. Born on December 9, 1954, Osoro worked for Kenya Airways and later Car Shine company. He died on October 18.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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A fund raiser was held yesterday to meet his funeral costs. He will be buried on Friday at Daraja Mbili Mwamogesa in Kisii town. He leaves behind wife Anne Njambi and four children.<\/p>\n
(Courtesy Daily Nation)<\/p>\n
Osoro was part of the talented Kogalo squad that won the league unbeaten in 1976. Along with Jerry Imbo and Allan Thigo, he was one of the most exciting players on the field. The hard tackling Simon Nyatome who was from the same region as Osoro, also played for Kogalo during that era. The exploits of that 1976 are documented in another article that can be found at this link : http:\/\/www.gormahia.net\/unbeaten.html<\/a><\/p>\n May he rest in peace<\/p>\n<\/div>\n