Mengistu Worku, the greatest Ethiopian footballer of all time, passed away today at the age of 70 after undergoing a two-year medical treatment in Bangkok, Thailand. Mengistu returned home recently after it was determined that his last days should be spent in his beloved country.Mengistu, was named the “Ethiopian Kopa”, after the great French footballer of the 50s Raymond Kopa, because of his dribbling ability and swiftness of his movements.
I don’t think that there is any middle age Ethiopian, whether he/she likes football or not, who doesn’t know about Mengistu Worku, either from personally watching him play or from what their parents, older brothers, etc…. have told them about him.
The name Mengistu Worku is synonymous with Ethiopian football. He was the most complete player Ethiopia has ever produced. He had flair, speed, intelligence, elegance, extreme confidence and a knack for goals.
For those of us who were lucky enough to see him play at his prime, Mengistu was a joy to watch. His impeccable ball control (feet, chest), his timing and acceleration, his jumping ability, his positioning, and his passing and the many goals that he scored made him a star player in Ethiopian football at a time when there were so many good players around.
He was a player of average height but the volleyball training drills he did at “Medhane Alem Secondary School” during his early years, prepared him well for football that he often out jumped defenders who were much taller than him to score numerous goals both for his club St. George or the Ethiopian national team.
Although I don’t know of any statistics done as to how many goals he scored with his feet or his head, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are even.
He was loved and cherished by his adoring fans, who gave him several nicknames, including “Menge”, “Gonderew”, “Doctor” and “Fitawrari”, to name a few. While he was the pride and joy for St. George fans, he was on the other hand, a total nightmare for the opposition, and I can attest to that from personal experience. Being a member and also a supporter of Electric Football Club (EEPCO now) at the time, I can’t tell you how many times, I went home crying after Electric lost to St. George, due to Mengistu either creating or scoring goals against us.
However, as much as we resented him, we also admired him. This was certainly the case when Mengistu was playing for the Ethiopian national team. He was fearless and had such an incredible do-or-die attitude when representing Ethiopia that we were all behind him 100%.
Later on, I became a sports journalist for the Ethiopian Herald and he took over as head coach of the national team, and I had the opportunity to interview him on several occasions. We often spoke of the good old days and we spent the great majority of our times going over the goals he scored, the players he admired, the problems with Ethiopian football and much more.
The story of Mengistu and his contribution and influence on Ethiopian football can’t be summarized in one or two articles.
There is more to come in the days ahead.
Menge, I miss you already.
May the Good Lord rest his soul!
Having honor ,pleasure and special privilege to coach for 5 wonderful years Saint George Football team and even to know you respecting you like the dearest uncle and each of your parent advices to me as a foreign coach i will forever remember and keep you as all football loving Ethiopians deep inside my heart.Legends like you they can never die they will forever be alive and remembered as a role models for the generations to come.
Gash Gondarew thank you for all and may your soul rest in peace
What a bad news!! Ethiopia lost one of its great sportsman. Though I didnot see him playing in my age, I grown up hearing his special footballing skill,and the tell about him sure would go on to the next generation..he was the greatest footballer of ethiopia…hitherto may be no any one in the country equiates him in that line of proffession …Simply he is legendry like Dr.Telahun Gessesse, and the Great Athlet Abebe Bikella, as some years back (in their great time past) sung for the three ..He died as man dies but would live forever in Ethiopian foot ball history..
Rest in peace!!
My deepest sympathies and wish of perserverance to his family, and friends to all ethiopian football lovers..
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE I WONDER WHAT MENGISTU WORKU WAS FEELING BY WATCHING THIS KHAT/CHAT GENERATION SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC HUNGER CONTINUEING HIS LEGACY IN REPRESENTING ETHIOPIA IN the 2012 Africa Cup .
I loved Mengestu dearly. I don’t remember going to stadium if Mengestu was not playing. I left Ethiopia when I was 18 and, I must have been 6 or 7 when I started going to Kambologo. The main drive for my generation to love soccer was Mengestu. What used to amaze me was his jump, his chest control and sprinting. He used to change gear from 1st gear to 5th gear in the matter of minutes. I wish I was at home to bear him. I remember tho whole stadium used to get crazy every time Gonderew got the ball. Something spectacular could happen, this was the expectation then. I thank Mamo for summarizing it well. It brings tear to my eyes.
Hello Coach Micho,
It was nice to see that you are still following Ethiopian football. It is indeed unfortunate that Ethiopia lost one of her greatest footballers of all time. May God rests his soul!
So, how is life with Al Hilal? How long is your contract with the team?
My deepest condolences to all family and fans of Menge. He was lightning when he played, he was grace itself even when he walked around in and outside of the field. He was to the football field what Tilahun Gesesse was to the stage – pure, unmistakable grace. His mere presence simply filled the stadium and there were more eyes fucused on him than anybody else. For me and scores of fans he was a an important part of the joy of living everyday. I’ll never forget you my great idol. May you rest in eternal peace.
I watched him from childhood to adulthood. in early days when the Saint George club was in Piassa, I used to go just to get a hand shake. I vividly remember the goal with his head for the third African cup with Egypt. RIP Mengistu
It is indeed a sad day for Ethiopian soccer fans and as a whole for our country. May god rest his soul in peace and my deepest condolence for the family.
We lose one LEGEND again…..
In 1993 as a video camera man of the Ethiopian Sport Comission I had a privillage to see Mengistu train the national team. He was the most respected and effective coach who led the team to numereous victories. He was also the first Ethiopian to be selected by FIFA as foot ball instructer for Africa. As a club coach, Mengistu once made the Ethiopian Insurance Soccer team diplay Home made Brazillian soccer. After Yidnekachew it is Mengistu who comes in the fore front of the Ethiopian Soccer history. May God bless his soul and comfort his family.
RIP Mengestu, but I would like to thank Al Amoudi for doing everything possible to make this great man cared and happy while alive.
REST IN PEACE-MENGE
REST IN PEACE MENGE….
You will nover be in pain again
Rest in peace
EthioSports – Ethiopia Football:Mengistu Worku (1940-2010)…
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
May you rest in peace! You will always be in our heart and mind.
Watch a video tribute to Mengistu Worku http://ecadforum.com/ethiopian-news/4414
we will never forget u!
RIP Mengistu
May Allah Bless his soul.
Menge will be missed by all Ethiopians as well as all african who admired him. Especially, the sudanes. Mengistu was the shining star for the Ethiopian National team as Pele was for the Brazilian team in the late sixities and early seventies. He was a nightmare for all the Goal Keepers, especially, Emde Michael G.Sellassie of Elpa (the old Electric club (Correnty). Emde barely used to see, Mengistu’s shot. Due to the speed of the ball, Emde roamed arround his net to locate the ball. It was a tradition to be defeated by St. George for Elpa Club due to Mengistu’s leathal weapon. Etalo’s presence did not bother St.Goerge because he was not comparable with Mengistu. Mengist was a legend. His contributions to his country was tremendous. My condollences to his family, relatives and friends. My Allah rest his soul in peace.
Menge, you will be missed by all of us.
Ahmed Kaeed
Detroit, MI. USA.
It’s a sad sad day!! My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mengistu Worku. This man was accomplished footballer, great coach and mentor to me and many young players. As a teenager, I was previlaged to be coached by him and learned so much about life. He may be gone, but his legend will live with us forever. Rest In Peace Coach Mingistu
I know many in the current young generation doesn’t know much about Mengistu Worku. Many argue Mengestu, had he born in this generation he could have graced any league in Europe with his ability. Mengistu not only a great player he is also a great coach the first Ethiopian to be selcted by FIFA to train other coaches in Africa. He created great teams In Ethiopia In the 80 ties such as Mebrat Hail, Medin and Ayer Menged. I remember once he drooped one of his favorite player who he coached for two of his teams in from 1985 to 1990 Abdulah Seid (Abdi). Many fans were shocked to see him in the bench for this big game but Mengistu had a different ideas. He dropped him only to put him beside him for 20 odd minutes and explain things how the opposition team played after only 20 minutes he made his substitution for a tactical reason. The change was instant and his team dictate the game for the remaining 70 minutes and the opposition coach was unable to reverse the course of the game. His teams were a lot superior compare to others just because he was a legend he was working with many constraints to achieve great deal.
Many might not know Mengistu personalty but his story telling ability was second to none. He can tell about the third African cup of Nation as if it happen like yesterday how they won that trophy for their country with difficult circumstance to win the cup of nation for the one and only time for Ethiopia. As a manager he is the last person to take the Ethiopian National team to cup of nation as well.
Just like the famous biblical saying ” Nebey beageru aykeberm” Mengistu’s achievement and legendary status often overlooked by native Ethiopians. I hope to see his statue in front of Addis Ababa Stadium one day where he graced the football field with extraordinary footballing abilities.
Thank you Sir for the wonderful memories and serving our country with great distinction.
Rest In Peace!
A.
Virgina, USA.
I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mengistu Worku.
When I was a national team player, he was my coach. He touched so many people.There will never be another one like him.
May God bless him and his family.
Sorry you are not reasonable, because on the table rank Defence force must be the 1st and Ethiopia coffee will be the 2nd even if they are equal in every thing you have to write the rank on the table using alphabetical order other wise it looks like you favor Ethiopian Coffee.
Tibity
I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mengistu Worku.
When I was a national team player, he was my coach. He touched so many people.
There will never be another one like him.
May God bless him and his family
This endeed is a great loss to Ethiopia and African soccer for that matter.
People like Mengistu should be celebrated even on their passing. He has contributed greatly and have made us enjoy some part of life as we grow up in the 70s. I always tag along with my father and go to stadium when ever Hamassien or Embasoyra (from Asmara) comes to Addis to play against Giorgis or Electric. I always remember those competitive games and can still remember the images of Mengistu, Luchiano, Sebeta and the players from Asmara such as Pache, Joker (the goali) Bokretsion and Ahmed Abdalla etc..
By the way all this players I mentioned above from both sides (teams) are the once who were members of the Ethiopian national team at the time Ethiop[ia was competitive or superior to other great African countries.
My dear Menge, may God bless your soul and give the strength to your family and all your funs where ever they might be.
I for sure will celebrate your greatness and pass your history to my children.
I am so sad in hearing the death of this talismatic footballer. Ethiopia had ever a player who could repeat what he did and it is hard to find in the future too.
mengstu worku i never forgat you in my life you are the of the best football man in the world for me. mengstu in my life i leren from you alot you was superbe.and wonderfull coche .i love you.be belss . .
MAY ALLAH BLESS HIS SOUL.
MENGISTU WORKU EAS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYER,OFTHE ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL TEAM AND IN THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA.I REMEMBER 1962 THE 3rd AFRICAN CUP IN ADDIS ABEB, AT THAT TIME MNGISTU PRESENTED A MEMORIAL VICTORY,IT WAS THE 3rd AND THE 4TH GOAL AGINST THE PHARON (EGYPT) AT THAT TIME i WAS IN DIRE DAWA MY CITY WE WERE HEARING THE MATCH BY REDIO AT FERES MEGALA SHAHI BET OF MY FATHER ATO ABDULKADIR MAHMOUD HE IS KNOWN BY ITS TEA AND FOUL (BEANS MADE DELICIOUS BREAK FAST MEGISTU,ATO YIDNEQACHEW TESEMA NETHERE, knOW THIS MAN ) WE HAVE TO DO SAME THING FOR MENGISTU,sFAMILY.
Mengestu worku had been the best player and entintainer in the field
he was elegant outside and inside the field.
When i was young and Mengestu started playing in the stadium i once mate him and told me that he was spending ET BIR.320 for his training per month from his pocket..this shows his dedication to his hobby
LET GOD PUT HIS SOUL IN HEAVEN
Mohammed N H Phleem
Sana’a,Yemen
I was deeply sad to hear about the death of Mengistu Worku.May God bless him and his family & we will never forget you in football history.
Rest in peace menghistu
RIP – Mengestu Worku was one of my father’s best footballers. My father supported St. George football team for years and years. My father passed away in April of this year. May be just may be the great Mengestu Worku and my beloved father meet in heaven and talk about the good old days of great football!