A SOMBRE mood has gripped the Coastal football scene following a grisly accident that claimed four players along the Malindi-Garsen road within Kilifi county.

The Coral Sea FC players died after their van veered off the road on impact after being hit by a truck headed towards Garsen. The incident happened at Borabora near Gongoni township. The players of the Mambrui based side were coming from a divisional league match against Hope FC at Marereni in Magarini district which they had lost 1-0.

Speaking at the Malindi Airport while awaiting the arrival of Football Kenya Federation president Sam Nyamweya and Coast National Executive Committee member Hussein Terry, FKF North Coast branch secretary Raphael Mwalungo announced the divisional league had been suspended to mourn the players. Nyamweya and Terry were later expected to lead a team of FKF officials from the Coast region as well as fans in raising funds to facilitate transport and burial arrangements of the deceased.