Ethiopian sport website reported that Mengistu Worku 70, Ethiopia’s greatest footballer of all time and the last head coach who took the Ethiopian national football team to the African Nations Cup in Libya in 1982, has died here today.
According to Ethiosport.com Mengistu recently returned home after undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, Thailand for the two years.
Mengistu Worku
The 3rd African Cup winner has been in Bangkok for two years undergoing medical treatment but his condition has worsened. Mengistu was said to have returned home along with a medical doctor and special medical equipments for follow-up treatment.
Saint George FC’s patron, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi has covered all the medical expenses for the legendary player.
Mengistu spent his entire club playing career for Saint George FC, where he started at the age of 16. He played 98 times for the Ethiopian national team and scored a record 61 goals. He played a pivotal role in helping Ethiopia win its only African Nations Cup when the third edition was held here in 1962. As a player, Mengistu has taken part in 6 African Nations Cup tournaments (1959-1970) and scored 10 goals.
After he retired from playing, Mengistu took up coaching where he served as head of St. George, Ethiopian Airlines and EEPCO among others and he is the last Ethiopian coach to take a team to the African Nations Cup when it was held in Libya in 1982.
Mengistu was a complete player. He can dribble and pass precise balls. His left foot was as lethal as his right, and he had such an incredible jumping and heading ability for a player who was not that tall.
A fearless warrior, who sacrificed his body and was often victim of vicious tackles from defenders who cannot control him.
According to Saint George FC Public Relations’ statement, his funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4pm at the Petros & Paulos Church here in the capital.
Listen St. George Radio about Mengistu Worku Death
Ethiopiaforums.com would like to extend our deepest condolences and prayers for his family.
Mengistu worku and luciano vassallo 1991
Mengistu with the Ethiopian national team that won the 3rd African Cup (1962): Photo courtesy ethiosport
Ethiopian national team after victory 1962
WATCH MORE VIDEOS FROM VOA AND ETV ON MENGISTU
Funeral
9 comments
RIP Mengistu Worku
RIP! Sad.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. I WONDER WHAT MENGISTU WORKU WAS FEELING BY WATCHING THIS KHAT/CHAT GENERATION SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC HUNGER CONTINUING HIS LEGACY IN REPRESENTING ETHIOPIA IN the 2012 Africa Cup .
Selam Ocean – the captain who is receiving the trophy is Luciano Vassallo not Mengistu Worku. Most ppl referenced this photo from Wikipedia but Wiki is wrong in the first place.
Anyways, I am so saddened by the loss of Ethiopians football hero, Mengistu Worku. His soul may rest in peace.
ocean DAWIT lik new ..ante website lai ytltfew LUCIANO new ..ermat ydrgbet
Thanks Dawit for the correction. I will update the caption right away.
Thanks Efrem too.
Let the Lord have Mercy on him
RIP
RIP!