‎Football in mourning as Mombasa United Assistant Coach Rix Kanuli passes on

‎The Kenyan football fraternity has been plunged into deep sorrow following the sudden death of Mombasa United assistant head coach Andrew Rix Kanuli, a key architect of the club’s impressive National Super League (NSL) campaign.

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‎Coach Rix passed away on Wednesday evening while receiving treatment at Coast General Hospital after a brief illness, only days after travelling with the team for their away clash against Soy United.

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‎Confirming the tragic news, Mombasa United General Manager Gilbert Wesonga described the loss as a massive setback to the club.

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‎“This news has hit us very hard. We have lost an important pillar in our plans as a team,” said Wesonga.

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‎He explained that the coach had returned safely with the squad over the weekend but later developed complications.

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‎“Coach Rix was with us during the Soy United match, but after returning home he became weak. He was taken to hospital on Wednesday afternoon and sadly passed on later in the evening while undergoing treatment,” he added.

‎Kanuli previously served as head coach of Nzoia Sugar FC and Borabu Bomachoge FC, and also worked as an assistant coach at Shabana FC.

‎Rix had been working closely with head coach Gilbert Selebwa, forming a strong technical partnership that had guided the Mombasa-based side into a serious promotion push. Mombasa United currently sit fifth in the NSL standings with 25 points, keeping their Kenyan Premier League dream alive.

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‎A visibly heartbroken Selebwa took to social media to mourn his trusted assistant.

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‎“I am completely shattered. Rest in eternal peace, my football son, Coach Rix. Losing you at this moment is deeply painful,” Selebwa wrote.

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‎Tributes have poured in from across the football community, with fellow coaches and teams hailing Rix as a committed professional and a strong believer in youth development.

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‎Bidco FC head coach Anthony Akhulia paid an emotional tribute to his close friend and colleague.

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‎“It is heartbreaking to lose you, my brother Andrew Rix Kanuli. You were a close friend, a classmate in our CAF C course, a fellow Arsenal supporter, and a true companion in our coaching journey. Football has lost one of its brightest minds. Rest well, brother,” Akhulia wrote.

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‎Mombasa United president Abdirahman AnzaFresh also expressed shock at the sudden loss, describing Rix as a coach with clear vision and ambition.

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‎“We are still coming to terms with his passing. He had big plans for this team, and although this is a painful moment, we will continue pushing forward to honor his legacy,” said AnzaFresh