Former Harambee Stars keeper Mahmoud Abbas. He was Kenya's number one for more than 5 years. [Photo/Courtesy]
Born in 1956 in Mombasa, Mahmoud Abbas first came into the limelight after playing a starring role for his Khamis Secondary School team to the national school title.
Abbas started his career at Mwenge FC, helping them to finish third in the national league.
His performances in the league did not go unnoticed, as teams like Kenya Breweries and AFC Leopards (then Abaluhya FC) came calling.
He joined Abaluhya FC in 1978, and his star continued to shine as he received a call-up to the national team, deputizing the then Kenya One David Odhiambo.
Abbas did not take long before making his mark, as he helped his new club win the first ever CECAFA club cup in 1979.
In 1980 CECAFA tourney, Abbass, who had now become the undisputed number one keeper in the country continued his remarkable form, helping Abaluhya to the finals without conceding a single goal.
However, in the final against archrivals Gor Mahia, Abbas conceded three goals as his team lost 3-2 to K’ogalo.
In 1981, Abbas starred for the national team, helping Harambee Stars win against Tanzania in the finals to lift the first CECAFA title.
The keeper kept going and helped Abaluhya FC win three consecutive CECAFA titles, as well as helping the national team to a similar fete; winning three consecutive CECAFA titles.
He became a legend all over Africa and in particular East and Central Africa and earned himself the nickname “Kenya one”.
He was a specialist in penalty saver and saved countless penalties for both club and country.
He hang up his boots in 1990, having moved from AFC to Re Union FC of Nairobi.
He will be remembered for commanding the number one position for like five years and was voted the best goalkeeper in East Africa three times in a row.