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Tributes pour in for AFC Leopards defender 'Omar Bongo'
AFC Leopards defender Patrick Milimu Shilasi (left) during a past match.
What you need to know:
- According to his sister, Beatrice Shiraho, he was due for a routine medical review at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi this week.
- “We had made all the arrangements for him to come to Nairobi for the review at Aga Khan Teaching and Referral Hospital,” she said.
Football fans and former players are mourning the death of legendary AFC Leopards defender Patrick Milimu Shilasi, popularly known as Omar Bongo, who passed away on Tuesday at his home in Kakamega after a long battle with heart complications.
Shilasi, 67, was part of the Leopards’ golden generation of the 1980s and helped the club clinch 10 major titles. He had undergone five heart surgeries and had been living with a pacemaker for over six years.
According to his sister, Beatrice Shiraho, he was due for a routine medical review at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi this week.
“We had made all the arrangements for him to come to Nairobi for the review at Aga Khan Teaching and Referral Hospital,” she said.
Nicknamed Omar Bongo for his resemblance to the late Gabonese president Omar Bongo Ondimba—both were short in stature—Shilasi was known for his fierce tackling and unmatched energy on the field.
A product of Kakamega High School’s famed Green Commandos, under coach Chris Makokha, Shilasi was scouted from Motcom together with Pius Masinza at the end of the 1980 league season. He was immediately slotted into AFC Leopards’ first team as a left full-back, taking over from the injured Davies Nate. Masinza, meanwhile, replaced the late Moses Okwaro.
Patrick Milimu Shilasi.
Shilasi's football career coincided with the most successful era in Leopards' history, alongside legends such as goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas, center-back Josephat Murila "Controller", playmaker Wilberforce Mulamba, and strikers Joe Masiga and Tony Lidonde. The team won the CECAFA Club Championship three times consecutively (1982–1984) and retained the title again in 1997.
Domestically, Shilasi helped Leopards win the Kenyan Premier League in 1982, 1983, and 1984, along with two domestic cup titles (now Mozzart Bet Cup) in 1984 and 1985.
In 1985, Leopards reached the semi-finals of the African Cup Winners' Cup, famously eliminating Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko 5-4 on penalties, before losing narrowly to Nigeria’s Leventis United 2-1. The run also included victories over El-Merreikh (Sudan) and FC Kalamu (Zaire, now DR Congo).
Shilasi was part of the squad that first wore the now-famous blue and white Rio Tinto strip during the 1982 CECAFA Club Championship final against Zimbabwe’s Rio Tinto. Tony Lidonde scored the lone goal in the final at Nyayo National Stadium, earning the nickname Mkombozi (The Deliverer).
Shilasi was a compact, no-nonsense defender known for his high work rate, overlapping runs, and well-timed crosses. He often pushed deep into the opponent’s half but always sprinted back to cover in defense.
Despite his intensity on the pitch, he was calm and composed under provocation, rarely losing his temper—even under pressure from fans and rivals.
“He was what Roberto Carlos was to Real Madrid. Unbeatable both on the ground and in the air despite his diminutive height,” eulogised Shamalla Wa Shamalla.
“Oh no. Rest in peace, my workmate at Posta,” said Athanas Oballa ‘Obango’, now Head of Projects and National Teams at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
“Very sad to our entire AFC Leopards fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said George Ludelu.
“Ooh my God, Ingwe family mourning again, we need prayers. May his soul rest in peace,” added Wycliffe Simiyu.
“He was an uncompromising stopper who cleared very dangerous moves. Very swift in ambush and counter-attacks. He was energetic and a hard nut to crack,” recalled Robert Maloba.
“Rest in peace legend, you made us proud those years,” said Tabitha Osimbo.
Shilasi was also a certified public accountant from Shinyalu Sub-County in Kakamega County. He leaves behind five children.
He played alongside other Leopards greats such as the late Shadrack Oyando, Francis Kadenge (RIP), Peter Lichungu, Peter Ouma, Deo Okumu, Haggai Mirikau (RIP), Mike Amwayi, Dan Musuku, Moses Okwaro (RIP), Omar Shaban, Francis Luvembe, Sammy Taabu (RIP), Nahashon Bushuru, Henry Omondi (RIP), Mickey Weche, Patrick Shim, Wycliff Anyangu, Moses Mulamba (RIP), and Aineah Isabwa (RIP).