Update – The funeral of Mengistu Worku, the man who took Ethiopia to its one and only African Cup glory in the ’60s, was held at Degu Gabriel Church in the suburbs of Addis on Friday. Ethiomedia sends its message of condolence to the family and millions of football fans of the legend we had long adored as the “King of Football.”
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Mengistu Worku, 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, died on Thursday at his home here in Addis. He was 70.
Mengistu recently returned home after undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, Thailand, for the two years.
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.
EthioSports.com is deeply saddened to hear the death of one of Africa’s greatest footballers and an Ethiopian hero. Our condolences to the family.
Mengistu with the Ethiopian national team that won the 3rd African Cup (1962)
Mengistu Worku with the Ethiopia vs Congo Kinshasa encounter for the 6th African Cup (1968)
Mengistu Worku with his beloved Saint George FC (1960s)
