By Steve Vickers BBC Sport

Fabisch was hugely popular in both Zimbabwe and Kenya

Reinhard Fabisch, who died on Saturday of cancer, will be fondly remembered by football fans in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The 57-year-old was the most popular foreign coach to have led Zimbabwe, and he had the same status in Kenya, too.

Fabisch led Zimbabwe for four years in the mid 1990s, building the so-called "Dream Team" that included goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and striker Peter Ndlovu.

Cheered on in full stadiums, the Warriors were one victory short of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, and 10 minutes away from reaching the Nations Cup finals of the same year.

Kalusha Bwalya's late equaliser in Harare denied Zimbabwe a debut appearance at the Nations Cup finals.

After Fabisch's departure, the Warriors had to wait until 2004 to play at the continental showpiece for the first time.

The German will be remembered as a colourful character, and at times a controversial one.

His time with the Warriors ended in 1995 when he was fired after a confrontation with the Zimbabwe Football Association.

Harambee Stars fans show their support of Fabisch

Two years earlier he was banned by the Confederation of African Football, after throwing money at a referee in a game between Zimbabwe and Cameroon in Yaounde, accusing the official of bias.

But Fabisch remained a favourite of Zimbabwe fans, and there were always calls for his return whenever the Warriors went through a bad spell.

He often returned to the country to hold coaching courses, and he was married to a Zimbabwean, and went to her rural area for a traditional wedding.

In Kenya, fans chanted "Fabisch for President" after he led the team to a famous draw against Nigeria in an Olympic qualifier.

He led Kenya to a runners-up spot at the football competition of the 1987 All-Africa Games, losing out to Egypt.

Fabisch's last job, with Benin at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, also proved to be eventful.

In a brave move, he decided to go to the media with claims that he had been approached by an Asian betting syndicate to fix the result of the Benin's game against Mali.

Fabisch made his mark in African football, and his memory will live on.