Ethiopian Premier League side Dedebit FC have lost their coach Nigussie Desta. Desta passed on Monday night after a short illness.
According to reports, the highly regarded manager complained of chest pain and nausea that night and was rushed to a nearby health facility in Addis Ababa where he died on arrival.
He had only returned to the touchline two weeks ago after serving a three-month ban and was expected to lead his charges against Arbaminch City in the EPL round of 25 Tuesday, but the match was shelved by the Ethiopian Football Federation in his honor.
In his celebrated coaching career, the former Army player managed Dedebit on two occasions, Defense and Woldia City.
He is famed for winning Dedebit their only EPL title in 2013 and guiding Woldia back to the Ethiopian topflight for the 2016-17 season.
His second stint with Dedebit in the current 2017-18 season after he dumped Woldia over interference in his work was promising until his suspension over media comments on referees three months ago.
In his absence the team squandered a healthy lead at the top of the EPL standings and dropped to sixth in the log.
Desta will be laid to rest Wednesday in his home town of Machew in the Northern tip of Ethiopia.
