Tragedy as Referee Who Officiated Gor Mahia vs Bandari Clash Dies

• Nicholas Omondi was the centre referee as Gor Mahia battled Bandari at Nyayo Stadium on Jamhuri Day
• Omondi officiated the match despite sustaining minor injuries the previous night after he was involved in an accident
• The accident happened at Suswa in Narok as the 36-year-old was travelling to Nairobi to honour the match
• Omondi, who was also a teacher by profession died at a Kisii hospital while undergoing treatment

Tragedy has struck the Kenyan football fraternity following the death of centre referee Nicholas Omondi.

The match official is said to have passed away on the evening of Monday, December 27, while undergoing treatment at a Kisii hospital.

His death came barely days after he officiated a Kenya Premier League match pitting Gor Mahia and Bandari at Nyayo Stadium.

The match played on Jamhuri Day ended in a drab goalless draw as the two teams shared the spoils.

Unknown to everyone, Omondi, who refereed the encounter would die days later after he was involved in an accident.

Man United Star Fitted with Heart Monitor After Chest Pains While in Action vs Norwich

Football

According to Jack Ochieng, the 36-year-old sustained minor injuries after the accident which happened on the night of Friday, December 11, while travelling to Nairobi for the match.

"When he told me that he was involved in an accident in a matatu and four others were seriously injured at Suswa, I was worried and told him to inform the football authorities of what has happened so that he could go back home and not officiate the game," Ochieng divulged to Nation.

"He later went to the hospital and we have been communicating on his progress since I'm based in Meru. We never thought it could come to this but all in all, we thank God for the life he lived," he added.

It is understood that Omondi, who also officiated National Super League matches was a teacher at Mariwa Primary School in Ndhiwa Sub County.

Algerian footballer dies on pitch

Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong Top List of 4 Super Eagles Players Who Got Married in 2021

Football

Earlier, Sports Brief reported the Algerian football fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Sofiane Lokar.

Lokar was in action as his side Mouloudia Saida battled ASM Oran in the Algerian second-tier division.

The 30-year-old is said to have suffered a head injury in the 26th minute but passed to continue playing after receiving treatment.

However, nine minutes later, tragedy struck as Lokar suffered a heart attack before he was confirmed dead while being attended to.