Pulse Sports explores the turbulent life of Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth who is linked to murder of three-year-old girl found dead outside her home in Nairobi.
Former Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and Harambee Stars player Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth is a name that resonates with a mix of admiration and controversy among Kenyan football fans.
While his prowess on the pitch was undeniable his life off it has been marred by a series of contentious episodes.
Here are five pivotal aspects of Gattuso’s life that paint a complex picture of the former midfield maestro.
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1. Journalist threatening incident
In 2018, while playing for AFC Leopards, Collins Okoth was embroiled in controversy for threatening to kill sports journalist Seth Onserio.
Onserio, a writer for Goal.com, had reported on Okoth's erratic attendance at training sessions which seemed to have irked the player significantly.
The situation escalated quickly when Okoth sent a chilling text message to Onserio, threatening his life for what he perceived as negative coverage.
The text ominously read, “One day, like seriously, I will kill someone from (the) media; trust me on this.”
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Onserio, shaken by the threats, filed a report at Villa Imara Police Post, citing fear for his personal safety.
2 .Notorious red card incident
Okoth's football career had its share of on-field drama as well with one of the most notable incidents occurring during the CAF Confederations Cup match against Mozambique's Ferroviario in 2012.
Okoth was shown a red card by a Malawian referee for what was deemed foul language.
However, Okoth contested the decision, attributing the misunderstanding to the referee's poor grasp of English. This red card led him to miss the crucial return leg match much to the dismay of his team and fans.
3. Child neglect accusations
Off the field, Okoth's personal life has been just as turbulent as he was once accused of neglecting his paternal responsibilities by Jackline Adhiambo, a fellow footballer then at Moyas Football Club.
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Adhiambo claimed that Okoth fathered her daughter but failed to provide support despite initially acknowledging his responsibility. This dispute cast a shadow over Okoth's image complicating his personal and public life further.
4 Quitting Gor Mahia amid controversy
In April 2012, Okoth made headlines by quitting Gor Mahia citing undue interference from club officials and harassment from fans.
This departure was marked by acrimony as Okoth voiced his frustrations with the lack of support and respect within the club.
His career continued to face challenges as he moved between clubs each stint marred by allegations of indiscipline and conflict.
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5 Multiple retirements and club exits
Okoth’s football career has been characterized by instability, with multiple retirements and dismissals from various clubs due to disciplinary issues.
After leaving Gor Mahia, he had brief spells at Tusker and Bandari, and was eventually axed from Sofapaka.
Each of these transitions was punctuated with controversies related to his conduct further complicating his career trajectory.
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