Gor Mahia Football Club and fans across East Africa are mourning the loss of Abbey Nasur, a revered figure from the club’s golden era in the 1980s, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 after a long battle with illness.
Born in 1952 in Uganda, Nasur’s football journey began in his home country, where he quickly made his mark with clubs such as Naguru Youth and Prisons FC.
He earned national recognition with the Uganda Cranes, playing in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in the 1970s and helping the national team to historic success, including appearances in the AFCON finals in 1978.
Gor Mahia legend
Following political turmoil in Uganda in 1979, Nasur moved to Kenya and joined Gor Mahia in 1981, where he became one of the most exciting players in the club’s storied history. Known for his pace, direct attacking runs and game-changing abilities often off the bench, Nasur quickly endeared himself to the club’s fanbase.
He finished the 1981 season with 21 goals and was the league’s top scorer despite the club finishing as runners up. Nasur score 36 goals in total for the club.
During his time at K’Ogalo, Nasur was a key contributor to a period of sustained success, helping the club secure four Kenyan league titles (1983, 1984, 1985, 1987), and two CECAFA Club Championships.
Though he was a peripheral figure at the club in 1987 as Gor Mahia integrated a new generation of talent, he was around the set up that won the 1987 African Cup Winners’ Cup, one of the highest honors in the club’s history.
Football historians and fans remember him as a dynamic winger and impact substitute whose late runs and incisive movement won crucial games for Gor Mahia. One memorable example was his penalty goal against Djoliba of Mali in the 1981 Africa Cup Winners Cup.
Life after football
After retiring from playing, Nasur remained involved in the sport as a coach, working in both Kenya and Uganda with clubs. In later years his health declined, and he lived quietly in Uganda, often confined to a wheelchair.
In August 2025, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Real Stars Sports Agency in recognition of his immense contributions to East African football, a testament to the enduring respect he commanded across generations.
Legacy
Abbey Nasur’s legacy transcends club loyalty and nationality. For older generation Gor Mahia supporters, he remains a beloved figure from one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
For Ugandan football, he was part of the generation that carried the Cranes to their best-ever performance on the continental stage. His death marks the passing of not just a great player, but a bridge between two footballing cultures in East Africa.
May his contributions to the beautiful game continue to inspire fans and players alike.
