Malaba: The Malaba soccer fraternity is mourning the sudden death of former Boca Juniors legendary striker and prolific scorer, Godfrey Karakach Igody, also known as Rasta. Igody was found dead in his Malaba rented house under mysterious circumstances, according to the former club Coach Altaf Bachu.
According to Kenya News Agency, Bachu said he identified Igody’s potential at the age of 11 when he was playing for Boca Juniors’ under-13 team. They traveled to Mumias to play against Olympics in a friendly match in 2008, which they won 7-1, with Igody scoring four goals. His star continued to rise a year later when the team traveled to Malaba, Uganda, for a tournament witnessed by scouts from English Premier League club Liverpool. The eight-team tournament saw Boca’s U-13 side lose 0-2 to host Hirens in the final.
In another 14-team tournament hosted by the Nzoia junior team, Boca played 14 matches, winning 13 and losing only one, marking a historic achievement. Bachu noted that Igody, who eventually graduated to the senior team, had captured the interest of the then Sony Coach Francis Barasa, but changes in the technical bench thwarted his dreams.
Moses Imai, who took over as head coach of the senior team along with Okoit Lok’Etyang until 2017, described the late Igody as a remarkable player who scored goals effortlessly with powerful strikes. Igody guided Boca Juniors to Division I with his skills before retiring, even when his services were still in demand. He also played in friendlies against Ugandan sides, Mbale Heroes, MIDA, and Kenya Premier League clubs Nzoia and Kakamega Home Boyz.
“The soccer fraternity has lost an icon, and we mourn with you. May Igody’s soul rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Imai said.