8th issue

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VOL 1 | ISSUE 8 | JULY/AUGUST 2017

TOP STORY

The best of the school games over the years

WOMEN FOOTBALL Mwanahalima Adam; the making of a goal poacher

The Big Interview

Ramadhan Balala; staying true to family tradition

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CAREER TEAM MANAGER - Willis Waliaula early retirement to take up management

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

EDITOR’S LETTER

SOKA

MAGAZINE SokaKenya Soka_Ke Editor-in-Chief Dan Ngulu

T

he eighth issue of your bimonthly Soka magazine is here with an array of interesting stories, touching on Kenyan football; current and the past, cutting across both genders, as well as the youth.

The Kenya Secondary School Games have grown over the years and have been generating a lot of interest apart from the entertainment on offer. They have become the biggest feeders for the national leagues and in this edition we will highlight some of the top players who have sprung up from these games.

The promotion fight has seen second tier clubs go for the top players in KPL, the allure of employment of course being the bait for players like Charles Okwemba who is now at Vihiga United. The second tier is getting more and more exciting and herein we enlist some of the big moves that transpired.

Staff Writers Fabian Odhiambo Terry Ouko Vincent Opiyo Zachary Oguda

We also profile KPL side, Bandari FC tracing their journey from its formation over five decades ago and the transformations it has had. The struggles to consolidate support from the locals but still keep its national outlook.

Additional Photography SportPicha Maina Wambugu Dan Ngulu

Women football is also covered in this edition, getting down with one of Kenya’s finest women footballers, Mwanahalima Adam, on her instrumental contribution in Kenya qualifying for AWCON for the first time ever.

Design and Layout Faith Omudho

A big discussion going through the continent today is about the changes made by CAF touching on AFCON; the news has been received with a lot of positivity but what chance does Kenya stand as Harambee Stars looks to get to the tournament for the first time since 2004?

Published By Soka Holdings Ltd Printed By Ramco Printing Marketing Ms Quinter Odongo Email: quinter@soka.co.ke Mobile: +254 705 216 569 Administration Patrick Korir Email: patrick@soka.co.ke Mobile: +254 700 123 366

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and please spare some time to send us your thoughts on the interesting topics you encounter.

Editor – in – chief Dan Ngulu

Office Suite A5, Silverpool Office P.O. BOX 50633 - 00100, Nairobi - Kenya Phone (254) 727 443 540 (254) 700 12 33 66 Email info@soka.co.ke Online www.soka.co.ke

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TABLE OF CONTENT

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Safaricom back in Kenyan football with Chapa Dimba

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Trading places across the tiers

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KPL transfer hoggers

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Kenyan football in 14 pictures

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Dripping with talent

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Bandari FC proďŹ le

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Kisumu Youth Football Association

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Stars on the rise

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The Big Interview with Abud Omar

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The making of a goal poacher: Mwanahalima Adam

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Back with a bang: Stephen Waruru returns after a year out

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Player spotlight: Emmanuel Mutiso

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When the boot wrinkles: Dan Makori’s coaching experience

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Fame and Football: Learning from past examples

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The changing face of AFCON

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Team Manager by calling

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Ramadhan Balala keeping with family tradition in coaching

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Costly miss: A blast from the past

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CURRENT ISSUES

CHAPA DIMBA

GRAND RETURN: Safaricom back in Kenyan football with Chapa Dimba

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore (center) poses with FKF President Nick Mwendwa (right) and Chapa Dimba Ambassador Victor Wanyama during the Chapa Dimba launch

By Patrick Korir

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fter staying away for five years, Safaricom made a return to Kenyan football with a Kshs 100 million budget in the name of Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom, a tournament that replaces what was earlier known as Sakata Ball in 2010 and 2011.

in London in April 2018.

Chapa Dimba is a nationwide tournament targeting boys and girls aged 16-20 years old and just like Sakata Ball, it will be played across all regions with the winning boys and girls teams taking home Kshs 1 million each.

Registration for the tournament commenced on Monday 3 July and the confirmed teams will comprise of 15 players and two officials for the group stages.

Apart from the prize purse, the winning sides will benefit from a week –long international training camp 6 soka.co.ke

To spur the youth into putting in their all, Safaricom announced the Kenya national team captain Victor Wanyama of English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur as the tournament’s ambassador.

Verification of the submitted details and pooling of the teams as well as assigning fixtures will take place in August and teams cleared to

participate will receive official communication by Friday 25 August 2017.

The boys’ category will be played in five stages; Group Stage 1, Group Stage 2, Round of 16 (Knockout Basis), Regional Finals and National Finals.

The girls’ category will also be played in five stages; Group Stage 1, Group Stage 2, Quarter Finals (Knockout Basis), Regional Finals and National Finals.

Each regional winner will proceed to the National Finals.

Teams will field the regular 11 players and matches will be played on a normal size football pitch.

To give a chance to budding players, no Premier League and National Super League players will be cleared to feature in the tournament.

The winning sides will benefit from a week –long international training camp in London in April 2018.

TRANSFERS

TRADING PLACES ACROSS THE TIERS Okwemba leads exodus to National Super League

By Patrick Korir

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he movement of players in the 2017 midseason transfer window presented an uncharted course with a number of key players at their teams opting for the switch down to the second tier National Super League (NSL) from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

top class players with jobs in the County Government, a bait that saw them also nail Dennis Wafula from Sofapaka and Oscar Omwami from Zoo Kericho FC.

The two just led an exodus that saw a total of 34 players relinquish their KPL tags to troop down to the second tier.

Charles Bruno, Augustine Etemesi, Job Omuse, Andrew Murunga, William Obayi, Michael Osundwa, Teddy Osok, Ronald Okoth and Cresten Mwanzo are some of the big names who also moved to the NSL. Mutuu joins promotion chasing Vihiga United from Kakamega Homeboyz - albeit on loan.

The Vihiga County – sponsored side was undoubtedly the most ambitious of the second tier teams, luring

Osok from Gor Mahia, Okoth from Mathare United and Osundwa from Nzoia are now in the ranks of KCB while Obayi has returned to Nakuru AllStars from Zoo. 134 switches According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), a total of 134 players switched to the NSL in the month-long mid season transfer window that lasted the entirety of June. It accounted for approximately 25% of the transfer activity.

39 players apiece moved within the NSL and a similar number arose from the lower leagues to the second tier.

Another six renewed their contracts including the lanky Joseph Shikokoti and Ivan Anguyo at Nairobi Stima, Teddy Siwa at Nakuru Allstars, Tera Fernandez, Hussein Godana and Peter Mageto all at FC Talanta.

Could it be a case of the second tier league getting a new shimmer with better returns and competitive levels in equal measure? It is a whole wide topic but the allure of a secure future definitely did the trick on top players like Charles Okwemba and Keiphas Mutuu.

Vihiga United After a fine six months with the 2009 KPL champions, Sofapaka, Okwemba decamped to Vihiga United where he will be joined by Mutuu, the first scorer of a hat trick in the 2017 KPL season.

CURRENT ISSUES

From the activities, Bidco United, at 17th place in the 19-team standings with a mere eight points from 16 games at the close of the first leg, were most active in the transfer window, signing a massive 20 players.

Meanwhile, Omuse crossed over from Nzoia Sugar to Kisumu based Palos FC while Etemesi left Sofapaka to try out with the revamping Bidco United as Murunga took off from Homeboyz to Ushuru FC. Bruno and Mwanzo both left Leopards for FC Talanta and Wazito – though the latter joins Talanta after a loan stint at Nakumatt FC.

Other than Etemesi, the Thika based side also rounded up John Walubuka and Mark Kwasira from Sofapaka as well as Heritier Luvualu, Job Onyango and David Juma all from Nairobi City Stars.

Uninterested While Bidco was rampant in June, St. Joseph’s from Nakuru were the most uninterested as their activity denotes just one signing; the step up of Michael Kamau from their youth team to senior rank.

Nairobi City Stars was also quite active as they roped in 12 new faces one being the former GorMahia, AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars defender Eric Masika from Ligi Ndogo as well as another international striker Victor Ochieng who has made the move from Ushuru.

Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

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KENYAN PREMIER LEAGUE

MID-SEASON TRANSFERS

KPL Transfer Hoggers Where deadwood never thrives

By Zachary Oguda

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or a third straight midseason transfer window, 2009 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka confirmed they hang onto no deadwood, and were once again the busiest of all as the month – long transfer window shut on Friday 30 June.

Having roped in 13 in June 2015, a record 22 in the same window in 2016, where they also released 23, Sofapaka kept their lead in 2017 by engaging 17 players – either as fresh players or by contract renewal.

While Mathias Kigonya, George Wanjala and Charles Pilipili extended their contracts at Batoto ba Mungu, the other 14 were new acquisitions.

Thika United was the most disinterested side Benard Mang’oli from AFC Leopards and Ugandans Umaru Kasumba from SC Villa Jogoo, Aloro Modest from The Saints and Feni Ali from URA were some of the notable arrivals for the Sam Ssimbwa – coached side.

Muhoroni Youth As is now custom and usual in all transfer windows, ins and outs at Muhoroni Youth were aplenty.

There were 11 incomers in the June window this time, down from 12 in 2016 and 13 in 2015.

Part of the new arrivals included John Odira, Antony Otuoma and John Mark Ochieng all from Muhoroni Young FC. Away from Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth, the third most active club in the window was Kakamega Homeboyz who roped in nine players.

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Topping that list of entries was Burundi’s top keeper McArthur Arakaza who joined from Uganda’s SC Villa. Collins Kisuya from Sofapaka FC, Francis Nambute from MOSCA FC and John Avire Bandari FC - on a one year loan were part of the other acquisitions.

Bandari With eight newcomers - just as was the case in June of 2016, Bandari was the fourth most active after Homeboyz.

Of great interest in the ended window was AFC Leopards, who went for six signings compared to the 12 done in the same period in 2016 and 13 in 2015.

Thika United was the most disinterested side as they only added one player to their ranks - Ugandan keeper Allan Owiny.

That was as well the trend in June 2015 when they only added one player - Saad Musa Abdala from City Stars. In 2016 it was different as the club rejigged with five additions.

Kariobangi Sharks Newcomers to the league Kariobangi sharks and the returning Nzoia Sugar FC each added two new faces. While Gor Mahia and Posta Rangers were mild with just three each.

Promoted Zoo FC who were least active in the off season transfer window ending January 2017, this time had some activity, adding five players - one being former Sofapaka, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia winger Demonde Selenga.

The June transfer window saw a total of 107 players making moves – either directly or on loan, or renewing contracts.

The number was however a drop from 144 at the same period in 2016 and down from 130 in 2015.

Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

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PICTORIAL

KENYAN FOOTBALL IN PICTURES

KENYAN FOOTBALL IN 14 PICTURES From the much anticipated friendly clash between Gor Mahia and English Premier League side Everton FC to Kakamega High School young prodigy James Mazembe joining Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Kariobangi Sharks, we take a look at the events that made headlines in the 2017 season, in pictures

By Zachary Oguda

1. 2017 National Secondary School Games Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Mazembe signed a three-year deal with Kenya Premier League (KPL) side Kariobangi Sharks. He will join the team in 2018 after completing his secondary school education.

2. Top fans Jaro Soja (right) and Frank Kunene following proceedings at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos as the Kenya national team Harambee Stars took on DR Congo in an international friendly match in March 2017.

3. After parting ways with Brazilian Marcelo Ze Maria, KPL side Gor Mahia went for Englishman, Dyllan Kerr, as his replacement.

4. Posta Rangers forward Dennis Mukaisi crosses under pressure from Western Stima’s Maurice Ojwang in a past KPL game.

Mukaisi has rediscovered his form this season, after netting just one goal in the 2016 campaign 10 soka.co.ke

5. AFC Leopards midfielder Duncan Otieno goes down in a full stretch to block a cross from Nzoia Sugar FC forward Masita Masuta in the two sides’ first leg clash at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. The game ended 2 – 1 in Leopards’ favor.

6. Morven Otinya (then of Palos FC) takes on a Malawian opponent as he got his first cap for the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars in the friendly match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. The clash ended 0 – 0.

7. Meddie Kagere of Gor Mahia, flanked by Jacques Tuyisenge, flashes the victory sign in celebration after scoring the winning goal in the game against Kakamega Homeboyz in a clash at the Afraha Stadium earlier in the season.

8. One For the Future; Martha Amunyolete won the 2017 Sec School Ball Games Girls MVP and marked her debut with the national team with a brace against Botswana-Starlets

running 7-1 winners.

9. Kenyan fans came out in style and color to cheer the national team as it took on the Ugandan national team, Cranes in an international friendly at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

10. Sakata Ball Reborn; Communication Company Safaricom is back in the Football scene this time with Chapa Dimba with Harambee Stars captain and Tottenham Hostpurs midfielder Victor Wanyama as its Ambassador.

11. Sofapaka players in celebration, led by Ezekiel Okare (second left) after scoring the opener in the KPL game against Muhoroni Youth. The goal, from the penalty spot was the fifth of the season for the striker.

12. Kenyan internationals Michael Olunga (left) and Victor Wanyama (right) flank Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, signaling appreciation for the support accorded after the 2 – 1 win over DR Congo at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

13. John Macharia (No 18) making his debut for Georgian side Kolkheti Poti after joining in July 2017 on a three year deal. The Kenya U20 winger was joined by ex Gor Mahia midfielder Amos Nondi.

14. The much anticipated friendly clash between Gor Mahia and English side Everton FC finally took place in Tanzania.

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COVER STORY

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DRIPPING WITH TALENT From the days of Dennis Oliech at Kamukunji High School to now, school games have grown to occupy a special place in Kenyan football. The games are no longer all about entertainment; they provide a special scouting platform, churning out talent that feeds the national leagues and by extension, national teams

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Kakamega High School winger James Mazembe at the 2017 National School Games in Nyeri

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Action between Wiyeta and Ibinzo girls in the 2017 National school games in Nyeri

By Zachary Oguda

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uccess, they say, is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration; this would apply really well in football.

Kenyan football especially. The bedrock of football development in Kenya, is embodied in the individual player – his discipline, dedication and mentality – these are the pillars that have brought to the fore the best Kenya has produced.

That Kenya lacks in terms of infrastructure to develop the game is not a secret. A number of ill equipped academies are strewn all over and somehow, the country slowly drifted into heavily relying on secondary schools to churn out talent.

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Some of the talent identified is nurtured, some goes to waste but a fact will always remain, schools and school games have played a big role in growing the game, in terms of supply. To bring this in good perspective, a trudge back in history would suffice.

The year is 2002 and Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, under the tutelage of coach Jacob Ghost Mulee is heading for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania.

The squad that is set to represent the nation in the regional showpiece has one Dennis Oliech, fresh from secondary school. The youngster draws his roots from the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) but sharpened

SCHOOL GAMES

COVER STORY

Action between St. Anthony’s and Upper-Hill in the boys final in the 2017 national school games in Nyeri

following year.

and given the platform by Kamukunji High School.

His rampant showing with Mathare United is causing shockwaves across the football circles and Mulee has

Integral part He is one of many who have sprung from that platform and is just an embodiment of how secondary school games have grown to be an integral part of football growth in Kenya. Unlike in the established football giants like Spain, England and Germany, Kenya has neither made a serious investment in youth development nor explored it as a long term solution to the woes that condemn the country only to a status of regional giants.

Over the years, the secondary School Ball Games have acted as the breeding grounds for the national teams and this has been replicated in the country’s top clubs who now throng the games to scout for talents to boost their ranks.

no option but have him in the team.

However, he only heads out as a back up to the tried and tested John Baraza who is expected to lead the team’s striking force.

As things would turn out, Kenya does win the championship, with Oliech as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. This feat attracts interest from far and wide. Suitors check in and one Qatari side, Al Arabi would win the race for his signature the

For example, Spain’s biggest clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid have La Masia and Castilla, the academies that have nurtured players who have gone on to win all the available trophies around with both club and country.

As a country, we may be doing badly in terms of nurturing players to become high performers, but we have never been short of the raw talent.

Over the years, the secondary School Ball Games have acted as the breeding grounds for the national teams and this has been replicated in the country’s top clubs who now throng the games to scout for talents to boost their ranks.

Proper start The games whose initial plan was to give students a holistic growth – an alternative to just sitting in class – have now become the feeder to the national leagues. Today, clubs across the leagues are littered with players who a few years back made a name through the school games.

To the players, the games mark the proper start of a football career and the kind of attention the games have received lately is testament to this fact, with the who is who in the Kenyan game trooping over and pitching camp to look out for the best crop.

To be named the Most Valuable Player at these games is almost the assurance any player needs to kick start a successful career in football and notably, a common statement from these players immediately after these games, would be the ambition to play in Europe.

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Alternative base Thanks to these games, there is an alternative base to source for talent, as the Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya would acknowledge, having won the race to rope in the 2017 National Secondary School Games MVP James Mazembe shortly after the conclusion of the games in Nyeri.

“I am always an advocate of promoting youths and I believe the secondary school games provide the perfect platform to pick a player or two to boost your side. Many of us go there to scout because this is where the talented players converge,” Muluya says.

Some of the players from these games make the direct leap to the junior national teams, marking their upward trajectory to the highest career levels and a constant figure at these meets is one Stanley Okumbi.

Okumbi, the national team head coach graced the national games in Nyeri and a marker to the talent on show, the coach admits it would be a big headache for him picking the best from the competition.

SCHOOL GAMES

the junior national teams. In the past call ups, we have used school boys on several occasions to complement those who are already participating in our various leagues so for the national teams’ sake, we take the games seriously,” Kamau opines.

In the last U20 team called up by head coach John Kamau, nine of the 26 players summoned to camp came straight from secondary schools and it is highly probable that the same will be the trend when the team starts the 2019 U20 AFCON qualifiers.

Michael Olunga, an award winner both at school and premier league level is perhaps the biggest success story to have come out of secondary school games.

Michael Olunga- Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng (China) 2012 MVP The current poster boy of Kenyan football, Michael Olunga, is one of

A call up to the U23 national team soon followed and he proved to be a cut above his peers with a hat trick against Botswana, which saw the senior national team head coach Bobby Williamson pick him.

The 2012 Upper Hill team was captained by one Cavine Odongo who is currently in the books of KPL side Kariobangi Sharks. Their opponents that day, St. Anthony’s had goalkeeper Gabriel Andika as skipper. He is currently with AFC Leopards.

Notable players in the 2012 showpiece Timothy Luda (Sofapaka), Wilson Njuguna (Kibera Black Stars), Ali Kesi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Mustapha Oduor (Nzoia Sugar), Meshack Karani (Sofapaka), Stephen Baraza (Police FC), Martin Werunga (Nairobi Stima),

I am always an advocate of promoting youths and I believe the secondary school games provide the perfect platform to pick a player or two to boost your side. Many of us go there to scout because this is where the talented players converge ~ Muluya

Potential “I was impressed with what I saw there from the first day,” Okumbi says. “Of course we can’t incorporate everyone in the national team set up but the boys showed they have the potential to take up national team assignments.”

the success stories of the secondary school games. He was part of the Upper Hill team that went 0-2 down at the hands of Kitale’s St Anthony’s in the 2012 final in Mombasa. He was afterwards named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

School games also offer a very good avenue in the fight against age cheats. Though a number of crooks find their way around the rules, the Kenya U20 national team head coach John Kamau acknowledges the platform provides the right mix for monitoring players.

Just like Oliech’s case in 2002, Olunga benefited from good guidance from Jacob Ghost Mulee. Listed as a player at Mulee’s Liberty Sports Academy, a loan move to Tusker FC was sealed in 2013 after featuring for the side’s junior team in the KPL U19 Tournament.

Taken seriously “We definitely go there to look at players who can fit in our system with

The search for play time saw him move to Thika United the following year, 2014, and he would last just a

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year there, as his impressive showing saw Gor Mahia move for him.

Marcellus Ingotsi (AFC Leopards).

Timothy Luda – Sofapaka FC – 2013 MVP Timothy Luda followed in Olunga’s footsteps in emerging the best in 2013 and with his show, preceded that year with a good performance in the AFC Leopards U19 team, he moved to Thika United in 2014. He became an instant hit with the club and was to spend the next two years there, until June 2017 where he joined 2009 KPL champions Sofapaka on a three year deal.

Notable players in the 2013 showpiece Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars), Wilson Njuguna (Kibera Black Stars), Ovella

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Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks), Steve Baraza, Martin Werunga (Nairobi Stima FC), Ali Kesi (Kakamega Homeboyz FC).

2014- Eric Marcelo Ouma (Kolkheti Poti) Eric Ouma, popularly known as Marcelo, had a meteoric rise after clinching the MVP’s award in 2014 after guiding his school, Kakamega High, beat Kisumu Day 1 – 0 in the final.

Of course we can’t incorporate everyone in the national team set up but the boys showed they have the potential to take up national team assignments ~ Okumbi

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Straight from school, in 2016, Marcelo landed a deal at Kenya’s most successful club, Gor Mahia.

He found game time hard to come by in his first days at the club but when he was handed the chance in Jose Marcelo Ferreira’s team, he displaced the seasoned Rwandan international Abouba Sibomana and he has never looked back.

He spent the year with the KPL giants

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before joining Georgian side Kolkheti Poti in February 2017.

Notable players in the 2014 showpiece Elvis Ronack Otieno (Nzoia Sugar FC), Harun Nyakha (AFC Leopards), Said Tsuma (Thika United), Erick Ouma (Kolkheti Poti - Georgia), Shaphan Siwa (Chemelil Sugar), Apollo Otieno (Chemelil Sugar), Collins Wendo (Palos FC), Kevin Monyi (Palos FC), Edwin Mukolwe (AFC Leopards), Gad Mathew (Western Stima), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Mohammed

SCHOOL GAMES

he has not flourished as much as his fellow MVPs, he has been a regular figure in the national U20 team in recent years and featured prominently in the KPL U20 tournament with Western Stima in 2016. He is still at Upper Hill where he is expected to complete his GCSE in 2017.

Notable players in the 2015 showpiece Alwyn Chambi Tera (FC Saburtalo, Georgia), Patrick Kimani Ongaji (Unattached), David Owino (Mathare United), David Odhiambo (Sofapaka),

Arnold Onyango (Barding High School) – 2016 MVP For the second year there was another MVP coming from a losing team; Arnold Onyango was a key member of the Barding team that lost on post-match penalties against Nairobi’s Laiser Hill in 2016. The midfielder is believed to have signed a pre contract with KPL side Bandari FC whose current assistant coach George Owoko was the man in charge of the Barding team in the showpiece that was held in Kisumu.

Notable players in the 2016 showpiece John Oginga (Bandari FC), Sheldon Ouma (Mosca) John Macharia (FC Kolkheti Pohti, Georgia), Clement Okiring (Sony Sugar), Dennis Junior (Sony Sugar), Arnold Onyango (In school) James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks) – 2017 MVP Finishing third in the 2017 event was not what Kakamega High School had envisaged when they graced the games. Still, they managed to produce the best player at the games, James Mazembe.

Action between Kakamega High School (red) and Upper Hill in the 2017 National School Games in Nyeri

Mbaruk (Agrochemicals FC), Alphonse Ndonye (Mathare United), Piston Mutamba (Wazito FC), Selemani Manjenga (Palos FC), Stephen Etyang )Palos FC), Alfred Wekesa (AFC Leopards), Joseph Okumu (Free State Stars - South Africa), Vitalis Akumu(Western Stima FC).

Musa Masika (Laiser Hill) – 2015 MVP Still in form three, then with Laiser Hill, Masika was named the 2015 MVP despite losing the title to Passenga High School in the final in Machakos.

The younger brother to Kenyan international winger Ayub Masika was destined for greatness and though

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Kevin Owino (Gor Mahia Youth), John

In the past call ups, we have used school boys on several occasions to complement those who are already participating in our various leagues so for the national teams’ sake, we take the games seriously ~ Kamau Macharia (Kolkheti Poti - Georgia), Musa Masika (In school), John Avirre (Bandari FC), James Kinyanjui (Thika United), Daniel Likoko (Nakuru AllStars), Ezekiel Nyati (Thika United), Mootian Leshan (St Joseph Youth).

Mazembe, who notched four goals, was snapped up by KPL side Kariobangi Sharks immediately after the games. He is expected to join the team in 2018 after completing his secondary school studies.

Notable players in the 2017 showpiece Alpha Chris (Gor Mahia), Joshua Otieno (Sony Sugar FC) John Quol (Chemelil Sugar FC), Ronald Sichenje (La Masia - Barcelona)

Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

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CLUB PROFILE

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BANDARI FC

Bandari FC players in a team photo ahead of a past KPL game

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CLUB PROFILE

BANDARI FC

BANDARI FC The Dockers have stood the test of time, with the pressure to promote local talents while keeping with the demands of a competitive league

By Terry Ouko Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Bandari FC was founded in 1960, as Lasco FC, an identity the team kept for 18 years up until 1978 when it was changed to Cargo FC. Then, a little known club, Cargo FC would be adopted by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in 1986 and four years later, got their first taste of the Kenyan top flight.

The experience at the top lasted just seven years and the team was relegated in 1997 after picking 31 points from 34 games, only enough to guarantee a 15th place finish.

Two years after their relegation, the club was disbanded and Coast Stars, a community club, whose idea of formation was fashioned by the then Kenya Football Federation (KFF) leadership, was born and promoted directly to the premier league in 1999.

Two seasons later, in 2011, they were back in the premier league, albeit controversially but they wouldn’t cope up and at the end of that season, they were relegated after finishing 15th with 31 points.

2016 came with a mixed bag for the team. They couldn’t match the performance from the previous year, even though they started that season by beating Gor Mahia to win the DStv Super Cup.

There was no giving up at the club and at the first time of asking, the team was back in the top flight, in 2013 and this time, they went on to achieve a high finish – sixth place with 42 points. They would however struggle to match that in 2014 as they dropped to 13th with 30 points.

The club’s inconsistent run, ironically served their best ever finish in the premier league in 2015, when they finished fourth, with 46 points. This year they also won the GOtv Shield under the tutelage of coach Twahir Muhiddin.

By virtue of winning the GOtv Shield the previous year, the team got to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup, getting their first taste of continental football.

They were however dumped out at the preliminary stage by Congolese side St. Eloi Lupopo and their defence of the GOtv Shield crown was crushed at the quarter final stage by Kariobangi Sharks. It was not rosy in the league too, as their campaign ended in the team finishing 11th with 37 points.

Bandari revival Coast Stars, however survived as a mid-table team throughout its life and after failing to attract much support from the coast public, it went under in 2004, clearing the way for Bandari’s revival.

Bandari started off from the lower leagues and eventually got promoted in 2008. Their second stint in the top flight would however last just two years. The team finished 13th in 2008 with 33 points and sunk to 15th in 2009 with 29 points, dropping to the second tier.

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Bandari players Felly Mulumba and Siraj Mohamed (partly hidden) take instructions from deputy coach Ken Odhiambo in a past game

Defender Felly Mulumba reacts to a referee call during the KPL game against Ulinzi Stars

The poor season in 2016 culminated in changes in the coaching unit and currently, the team is led by Ugandan Fred Nkata, the man who led Tusker FC to win the 2016 KPL title and GOtv Shield.

Top players Among the top players the club has produced over the years include: Ricky Solomon, Ambrose Ayoyi, Robert Mambo, Washington Muhanji, John Busolo, David Akoi (deceased), Davis Oyiela (deceased), and Charles Otieno (deceased). Some of the prominent coaches who have handled the team are Mohammed Kheri, Twahir Muhiddin, Ali Breikh and Rishadi Shedu.

As a club in the top flight, we have a national and a regional face; and being in the top flight means being able to compete well with the other teams. It is therefore not possible to only have players from this region ~ Oduor Bandari is managed by a Board of Trustees, with Eng. Abdalla Samatar as the chairman, former Kenya Ferry Services director Hamisi Musa as the Vice Chairman Edward Oduor as the

Chief Executive Officer, Salim Sumra as the Organizing Secretary, Amani Masoud as the Assistant Organizing Secretary, former Harambee Stars striker Mohammed Tostao Nazzir as the Treasurer, Moses Otieno as the

Fact File Name Year of Establishment Homeground Capacity Owner

Bandari FC 1960 Mbaraki Sports Club 10,000 Kenya Ports Authority

Managment Coach Assistant Coaches Club Chairman C.E.O

Paul Nkata George Owoko Ken Odhiambo Abdullahi Samatar Edward Oduor

Club Treasurer

Mohammed Nassir

Club Secretary

Moses Otieno

Cup Titles Fkf Presidents Cup Title - 1 Kenya Super Cup - 1

Security Manager and Mohammed Abdulrahman as the Media Liaison Officer.

Fan base Some of the major challenges the club faces is that it does not have a strong fan base. There is a lot of unease from locals, who feel detached as the club’s management is made up entirely of KPA staff. Being the only team from the region in the top flight, locals feel they should have a stake in running it thus the demand that it be listed as a community club.

They want a place at the high table; to take part in the club’s decision making including recruitment of players. There has been a lot of hue and cry from the community when the team goes for foreign players and those from outside the coast region and this mostly comes out when the team performs poorly.

Fans have previously faulted the clubs scouting criteria and recruitment of players who are past their prime.

Club CEO Edward Oduor however explains why the inclusion of players from other parts of the region is paramount.

“As a club in the top flight, we have a national and a regional face; and soka.co.ke 23

CLUB PROFILE

BANDARI FC

being in the top flight means being able to compete well with the other teams. It is therefore not possible to only have players from this region.

“In the past when that was the case the team got relegated,” he recalls “As a team in the national league we also have to attract fans from across the country and beyond. We cannot achieve that if we limit ourselves to the coast region. To be sustainable as a club and a business we need to accommodate everyone and fans need to embrace this,” he says.

grow even further,” Oduor remarked.

Youth Structure The club has a youth team that consists of players under the age of 20, and takes part in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Mombasa County League. It also takes part in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Under 20 tournament. The youth team has been able to produce top players who are now part of the senior team including Mohammed Shariff and Bilal Abdul, who was promoted to the senior team aged 16.

Other homegrown players in

Former Harambee Stars midfielder Ali Breikh, Walter Odede, Abdulwahab Musa and Sabastian Adiangu are some of the former players who got jobs while actively playing for the team.

Employment As part of player – motivation, serving Bandari FC comes with job opportunities at the Kenya Ports Authority. Those actively playing, former players and coaches who qualify are normally considered for appointments at the port Anthony Kimani and Sharrif Mohamed are among the current crop who are on permanent and pensionable positions at KPA.

Corporate Social Responsibility Bandari FC is among the various beneficiaries of the annual Kshs 200m budget set aside by KPA for sporting and CSR activities. The club plays a central role in such activities, as revealed by Oduor.

As part of player – motivation, serving Bandari FC comes with job opportunities at the Kenya Ports Authority. Those actively playing, former players and coaches who qualify are normally considered for appointments at the port the Bandari squad are left-back Mohammed Siraj, Hassan Abdalla and Wilberforce Lugogo.

“We are keen on youth development and for this the sponsors, KPA have really invested. We have a youth team that plays in the local league and every year we get to promote a few to the senior team “As part of giving back to the community, we have also been sponsoring our youth team coaches to take CAF License courses to further their coaching knowledge. We also work with Watoto Africa football Academy to enhance these talents and we plan to make the partnership

players from across the region and beyond. There are Ugandans Fred Nkata and Andrew Waiswa, Felly Mulumba from DR Congo and Cosmas Lewis from Tanzania. The club looks to become a hub of the best players in the region, and a target for the junior team – Bandari Youth – is to equip it well so it acts as the sole feeder to the senior team in terms of producing young talent.

Formation of a ladies’ football team is also in KPA’s long-term plans, as a means to adhere to the gender-based streaming policy.

KECOSO The team, representing KPA, takes part in the Kenya Communications and Sports Organizations (KECOSO) games which are held annually in August. A total of 12 corporate teams converge for various sporting activities. These include Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Ministry of Transport and Communications, Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), Communications Authority of Kenya and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

Bandari are the reigning KECOSO Champions in the football category after edging Posta in the 2016 final.

“CSR programs are key and we ensure that the team takes part in social work like visiting children’s homes and holding soccer clinics in the area.

Bandari is not the only team funded

by KPA; we also do Basketball, swimming, volleyball among others,” he adds.

Inclusivity At the moment the playing unit has a regional face, with Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

24 soka.co.ke

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Bandari’s Shariff Mohamed shields the ball from Kariobangi Sharks’ Masud Juma in the two sides’ past KPL game

soka.co.ke 25

YOUTH FOOTBALL

KYFA

Kisumu Youth Football Association Shaping Kisumu’s football terrain

By Fabian Odhiambo

B

oniface Omondi, Kenneth Muguna, Wellington Ochieng and Joachim Oluoch have one thing in common and this is not just the fact that they play for one of the biggest clubs in the country.

The entire quartet rose from Kisumu Youth Football Association, otherwise known as KYFA where they won junior titles in the U12 and U14 category.

The four are part of the current Gor Mahia set up but a track back in their careers, a decade ago they were engaged in contests against their peers in the dusty fields of Kondele and Manyatta, three years upon KYFA’s formation.

KYFA is the brainchild of one Frederik Eijkman, a Dutch national, whose missionary work saw him meet the residents of Nyalenda area in Kisumu in 2004, Pandpieri Center being the hub of his work at the time.

Over ten years Kevin Obware, presently the manager of KYFA, looks back at over ten years of existence and marvels at just how far they have come.

Even though joining KYFA a few years after its formation, he would be tasked with the Manager’s position just three years later and this is a position he holds to date.

“There was no youth league back then”, he begins as we sit down for a 26 soka.co.ke

chat at KYFA offices located just 200 meters off United Mall.

KYFA began as an association of nine football clubs but just like many others, one always finds that a lot of things come up when you begin such an initiative.

“At present, we do not just play football; KYFA has grown in leaps and bounds”, Obware says.

The growth Obware speaks of may not have been as fast as that of their own alumni; a quick glance at the association’s profile lets you in on one thing, that over the few years of its existence, KYFA has trained more than 300 local coaches, three of them holders of a UEFA B Coaching license, and 37 UEFA C coaches.

The coaching courses are absolutely free. Mr. Eijkman through his Dutch partners brought us the KNVB courses and everyone who has been here started at Basic 1 level ~ Obware Former Ligi Ndogo SC coach Arthur Opiyo, Ted Odhiambo and Nick Aketch rank high in the coaching profile and the three are all beneficiaries of the KYFA Coaching Program and their studies in Holland were facilitated by KYFA.

Paul Ogai, Dan Odhiambo and Duncan Omondi are also some of the coaches who have gone through the KYFA ranks, being among the 37 holders of UEFA C license.

Another set of coaches, 48 to be precise, fall in at Basic 2 Level and the majority – 249 local coaches – are at Basic 1. These clearly, are numbers that could make the FA green with envy.

Mr. Obware doesn’t know when the next set of trainees will be heading to Holland for their UEFA courses but is positive all the same. The idea of having the handlers of the youth teams go through these coaching courses, he says, was born from the need to further professionalize the program.

Opportunities “You know when you start something like this, opportunities open up, some of which you didn’t even have an idea about.

“Our leagues were drawn into six zones – Nyalenda, Town, Manyatta, Nyamasaria, Otonglo and Kajulu. I cannot say we reached everyone but what we’ve done so far is immense considering how many kids and coaches we’ve reached.

“The coaching courses are absolutely free. Mr. Eijkman through his Dutch partners brought us the KNVB courses and everyone who has been

here started at Basic 1 level.

“A good number now coach in the National Super League and Division 1 while the ones still at Basic 2, handle most of our county league teams and that is positive because at the end of the day you only want someone qualified to handle a good kid,” says Mr. Obware.

The association is not all about training coaches and upcoming footballers; Referees and First Aiders, totaling 600, credit their training to KYFA, the most notable of course is one Calary Omondi who currently serves as referee and fourth official in many Football Kenya Federation (FKF) league matches.

But how have the leagues survived to date? Football as we know, can sometimes be a tasking engagement for any stakeholder. Moses Odhiambo, in charge of competitions at KYFA offers insight with his normal day in office.

Scrapped off “I personally oversee the smooth running and continuity of the leagues.

We scrapped off the under 18 part mainly because we didn’t want to replicate what the national FA is doing with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Under 20. We decided to stick with Under-16 all the way down to Under-10.

“It is still not easy though because at some point we handle about 3000 kids.

This number still doesn’t mean we reach everyone but we always try to reach every possible area within Kisumu.

“With the kids we introduced Informed Decision Making, an avenue to mold model citizens out of them”, Odhiambo, who doubles up as the coach of former Kisumu giants, Real Kisumu, offers.

Informed Decision Making aims at impacting behavior change by educating the team captains on

the importance of making the right decisions on issues affecting the youth and these range from peer pressure to drugs and substance abuse.

From there, captains engage their team mates on the same. It is from such initiatives outside of football that well-wishers have seen it noble to also come on board and offer a helping hand.

grounds, United Millers through donation of foodstuffs, Manji Food Industries through refreshments, Alive and Kicking through provision of football equipment and many others, have been on the forefront in aiding the leagues’ continuity, this is of course, without disregarding the help that comes from the Dutch friends of Mr. Eijkman.

We scrapped off the under 18 part mainly because we didn’t want to replicate what the national FA is doing with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Under 20. We decided to stick with Under-16 all the way down to Under-10 ~ Odhiambo Locally, the Kisumu County Government through the rehabilitation of most football

With such interest from the few corporates, a new avenue is opened up – tracking the players’ performance in school. Odhiambo soka.co.ke 27

YOUTH FOOTBALL

KYFA

says they have gone as far as following up on top students in school and awarding them.

“I cannot say this is a venture short of challenges, they always have to be there but we learn to deal with them.

Through the support that we get, we have awards at the end of the year when the league culminates into the finals.

“We also check on how our players perform in their schools and award them,” he adds.

With view of a holistic growth in the region, KYFA knows the girl child cannot be left out. The key importance of this segment of their targeted audience is not missed by Odhiambo.

“Along the way we did start a girls’ tournament in order to include the girl child and I’m happy to report we overcame the challenges that come with that segment,” says a delighted Odhiambo.

Aside from the Kenya Women Premier League (KeWPL) there’s another big national ladies’ event held yearly in Kisumu, and it comes as no surprise that it is associated with this association; the KYFA Ladies National Tournament.

Over the past four years this tournament has attracted KeWPL champions Thika Queens, but still, they are not the only big names that come to Kisumu every year to take part. School giants Wiyeta, Tartar Girls and Ibinzo have been regulars at the tourney whereas premier League side Soccer Queens recently threw themselves into the fray.

Introducing the girls’ category wasn’t all too rosy, Odhiambo opines, and these are sentiments that are well echoed by Mr Obware. “Initially there was no clear path for the girl child’s football, as regards national league.

So we came up with a tournament that brings together any willing teams within the Country, and the growth has been huge.”

among the FKF leagues and presently, a team by the name FC KYFA battles it out with Kisumu County rivals in the league for a chance to climb a log higher to Division 2.

“At first it was difficult to get the girls to play because of the society’s perception of the girl child’s place.

We however managed to change that gradually and now we can say two or three players from Kisumu have played for the national team the Harambee Starlets,” Obware offers.

While KYFA has managed to shape Kisumu’s football, and with the proceeds being seen nationally, the sky is just the lower limit for the association, and the notion you get from the engagements is KYFA is here for the long haul.

The County League is the lowest tier Follow Fabian Odhiambo on Twitter: @Fabian_Odhiambo

28 soka.co.ke

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

soka.co.ke 29

SCHOOL GAMES

STARS ON THE RISE

MARTHA AMUNYOLETE Fact File Full Name

Martha Amunyolete

Date of Birth 5/5/ 2001 Height

5’6ft

Weight

59 Kg

Position

Striker

School

Wiyeta Girls

Awards • 2017 National School Games Most Valuable Player (MVP)

By Terry Ouko

S

ensational Wiyeta Girls Secondary School forward Martha Amunyolete made a statement to match her profile at the just concluded Secondary School ball games in Nyeri, bagging the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award as her school clinched the 2017 national title.

Her splendid show at the tournament earned her a call to the U20 national team and at 17, she is already looking forward to a great future, molded from the games and her background at Wiyeta.

Her confidence betrays her tender age and while she will be gunning to help Kenya U20’s quest for the 2019 World Cup, he gaze is affixed on the senior national team.

“Being called to the national team when still in school shows that am doing the right things. I have watched a few of the senior team games and I know I can fit in since am never afraid of such challenges. I know it is a big step but the fact that I have my teammates from Wiyeta in the team will help me adapt easily,” she said

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TERRY ENGESHA Fact File Full Name Date of Birth

Teresa Engesha 15/2/ 1998

Height

5’8ft

Weight

63 Kg

Position

Midfielder

Club Current

Vihiga Queens

Previous

Western Commandos Vihiga Leeds Soccer Queens

A

n attacking midfielder at Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL) side Vihiga Leeds, Terry Engesha has perfected her art, having been introduced in the game aged nine. She has previously featured for WPL sides, Western Commandos, Vihiga Queens and Soccer Queens.

The 19 year old is blessed with great dribbling skills, pace and precision. Among her most memorable moments was scoring a brace against Spedag FC in the 2016 season.

Despite her tender age, she already has a senior national team cap, and scored on her debut, in the 4-1 win over US side, Lynch Burg FC.

GENTRIX SHIKANGWA Fact File Full Name Date of Birth

Gentrix Shikangwa 27/11/2001

Height

5’6ft

Weight

59 Kg

Position

Striker

School

Wiyeta High School

G

entrix Shikangwa was another of the stars coming out of the 2017 National Secondary School Games. Her performance at the games, with her school, Wiyeeta Girls Secondary School, earned her a call up to the U20 national team.

At 16, she is already showing the flashes of an upcoming star, as seen at the school games.

Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

soka.co.ke 31

THE BIG INTERVIEW

ABUD OMAR

ABUD KHAMIS OMAR The tale of steady growth from Admiral FC and travails in Europe

By Vincent Opiyo

F

rom humble beginnings left – back Abud Omar has grown steadily in his career and is now among the leading lights in Kenyan football, a regular at the national team and calmly doing his business in Europe as he targets the paid ranks. As he explicitly shares, the terrain has been ragged in his journey from Sparki Youth to his current employer, Bulgarian club, Slavia Sofia.

The socio – economic conditions at Kenya’s coast are well curved for the young man who has it all; the one who doesn’t need to play football for a living. Most youths in the area opt to make the easy shilling through taking advantage of the vibrant tourism industry while others are lured in drug trafficking and such.

Abud stood tall and against such vices and comforts, rolled his sleeve down the Mombasa beaches and defied the odds to take a route charted by just a few and his leap sees him listed as a regular at his club and national team today.

A new chapter in his football career came right after clearing his High School studies when he joined Admiral FC on 2010, the team then participating in the second tier and while he notes it was great going a rank high and closer to the top flight, he admits it was never easy for him and his team mates.

32 soka.co.ke

“Playing in the second tier is tough; that is the biggest lesson I got from Admiral. The working conditions there did not favor the faint hearted because apart from the challenges in your normal week, you had to

Fact File Full Name

Abud Khamis Omar

Date of Birth

9/9/ 1992

Place of Birth

Mombasa

Position

Left Back

Club Current Previous

PFC Slavia Sofia (Bulgaria) Panegialios FC (Greece) Tusker FC Bandari FC (Loan) Admiral FC (Kenya)

Youth Teams • KIZIWI Leopards • Sparki Youth • MUCA

Trophies • DStv Super Cup • Two KPL Top 8 • CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup (2013)

contend with traveling to Nairobi on a Friday, to play two matches – on Saturday and Sunday – then board the bus back to Mombasa right after the Sunday game,” all these they had to endure without the promise of a regular salary, he recalls.

Well, the situation has really changed in the current National Super League (NSL) and even so, he says it is still hard for teams from the coast without sponsorships.

Two years of focus, hard work and determination saw Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Bandari FC come knocking on Admiral FC’s door, asking to sign the defender.

Dream chance A move up to the premier league with the region’s top team was a dream chance for both the defender and his club and with just little prodding, he was off to the club sponsored by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Here he had the guarantee of regular pay and allowances, but then, it did not all run smoothly for him as he on most occasions found himself at loggerheads with the club leadership.

“I have nothing good to say about my life at Bandari. I had a lot of issues with the management and was heartbroken with their way of doing things but I kept the focus. By then I was staying with my dad, life was

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

soka.co.ke 33

THE BIG INTERVIEW

ABUD OMAR

easy because I had no bills to pay,” he says without divulging a lot of details.

Despite his struggles at Bandari, Abud stayed grounded, kept the right focus and stuck to the basics. One thing he knew for sure was that he was ripe to test the waters outside his coastal comfort zone.

He was ready for a new challenge and after 18 months with Bandari, that new challenge came in the shape of Tusker FC in the 2013 midseason transfer window.

The chance to move to the Ruaraka based side and play under coach Robert Matano was a no brainer. He was soon packing his bags for the move to Nairobi and an entirely fresh experience.

“The best moment came when I joined Tusker FC,” he willingly shares.

“This was a more professional side and offered me a bigger challenge

34 soka.co.ke

than Bandari with better motivation for players,” he adds.

Transformation He settled well at Tusker and with that came his transformation. He played regularly and went on to aid the team win the 2013 KPL Super Cup and back to back Top 8 Cup titles in 2013 and 2014.

It was also through the Brewers that he got his first call up to Harambee Stars, “Tusker will always be close to my heart; I got my first call up to the national team through Tusker and that is a factor in my career that I will always cherish,” says the defender, who featured 73 times for Tusker, scoring three goals.

Despite having a successful stint at Tusker, Abud felt he still had a lot to achieve. He always wanted to push himself to the next level and that for him was to play outside Kenyan borders.

For the defender, playing in Europe was the next frontier and when he got the nod by then national team head coach Adel Amrouche, to feature in the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge held in Kenya, he knew this was the big stage he’d use to show his worth.

“This chance meant everything to me and as things unfolded, I was linked with a top agent, who was then managing Allan Wanga and Paul Were. He was impressed with my

Tusker will always be close to my heart; I got my first call up to the national team through Tusker and that is a factor in my career that I will always cherish ~ Abud

ABOUD OMAR

THE BIG INTERVIEW

soka.co.ke 35

THE BIG INTERVIEW

performance at the tournament and proposed me to a number of South African teams before changing his mind to see me head to Europe,” he reveals.

At this point the European dream was so close, but it had its fair share of uncertainties. He left Nairobi to join a Slovenian team but had a flight delay on transit in Greece and when finally in Slovenia, his agent and the club failed to agree terms and he had to go back to Greece to try out with a lower tier team, Panegialios FC. A star back home, but in Europe, in Greece, he was required to undergo trials with a second tier team. The realities of playing in Europe, which is every player’s dream, were sinking in.

His arrival back in Greece had no fanfare, as it may be presumed, apart from dealing with the psychological issues of having to go through trials, he was on his own at the airport and unable to make calls.

His dedication earned him 14 appearances and by the time he was approaching the end of his deal, he had already convinced a few scouts, and won over a lot more doubters.

Clearly, the route for a better move was in the offing but his big break came after a game against Greek giants Olympiacos.

ABUD OMAR

league. His first season saw the team secure a slot in the 2016/17 UEFA Europa League.

The upturn however, coincided with six players leaving for other clubs and while it was good news for him, in terms of securing a regular place, it was by far the hardest thing that hit the club. They were replaced by rather inexperienced players and the club really struggled in the 2016/17 season and Abud and team mates had to go to the relegation playoffs to retain their top flight status.

“The Bulgarian league is tough. When I joined, Sofia had a good squad

players, which contributed to our struggles both in the Europa League and the league,” says Abud who left a mark in the tournament with an assist in his team’s qualifier against Polish side Zaglebia Labin, the eventual winners on a 3 – 1 aggregate score.

While his team suffered early elimination in the tournament, Abud put a marker to his career, joining the list of Kenyan players to have featured in Europe’s second most prestigious competition after Mike Okoth, Robert Mambo, McDonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama, James Situma, Anthony Dafaa, Ayub Timbe and Amos Ekhalie.

It is tough being a foreigner, and even tougher being from Africa.

From the first day, I knew I had to up my game. Unlike back at home, here you have nowhere to run to when you fail to meet the cut ~ Abud but at the end of the season, six key players left for greener pastures. The team was forced to promote young

Three seasons in Europe, Abud is still learning the ropes as he guns

“The agent proposed me to a Bulgarian team and scouts were sent for our cup game against Olympiacos at the end of 2015. They were impressed and immediately offered a contract,” he reveals.

His agent had made good the promise to work on a bigger move after six months, and Slavia Sofia in the Bulgarian top flight it was. To Abud, this called for celebration, but there was no time for that.

He had to craft a means of breaking to the first team; quite an arduous task for a player who just six months back was playing in the Kenyan Abud Omar shields the ball away from Ulinzi Satrs defender Geoffrey Kokoyo in a past clash

36 soka.co.ke

for consistently developing his game.

Though virtually new in the paid ranks, compared to seasoned Kenyan internationals he can still offer good advice to players seeking to make the move.

His advice comes in form of a warning; “Europe has the best conditions any player would like to work in. But without quick adaptation, confidence and focus, it’s easy to fail.

I was forced to cope with tough and demanding environments. Here, you don’t play for fans but for your own self.

“In fact at times, you face racist chants from the opposing fans.

You don’t have not to panic; on this I think playing for Tusker and Harambee Stars prepared me. You only need to play your best football always,” he states.

The 24 caps he’s had for Kenya epitomize his meteoric rise as he made the left back position his, but he is still yearning for more, to parade as good bargaining chip for future moves across Europe.

At the national team he has had his fair share of criticism from the success – starved Kenyan fans. In his earlier days he would have taken on anyone but now a cultured footballer, he takes that positively though he admits trying to please everyone is a route he’ll never take.

“I don’t think there’s a day I woke up to play badly for Kenya. I always give my best. The challenge we have to accept is that fans also have their favorite players, especially if you played for Gor Mahia or AFC Leopards.

“I never played for teams with very huge fan bases back in Kenya so I may not command so big a following,” he notes.

Abud inherited his position in the national team from Mulinge Ndeto and made it his, right from the time

Adel Amrouche took over in 2013. His position was only threatened briefly

by Ulinzi Stars’ Omar Mbongi in 2015, before Erick Marcelo Ouma burst to the scene the following year.

Ouma became an instant hit both at the national team and his then club Gor Mahia, occasioning comparisons, with some quarters intimating that the two had a tiff. These, obviously were claims Abud rubbished.

“Marcelo is a good player and a friend. We always talk while in camp.

On many occasions we’ve shared rooms while in camp. I think fans

upcoming players, calling on them to get good agents, have their videos always ready and of course give their best on the pitch.

“To the upcoming players aspiring to get to Europe: Focus on your individual goals; don’t play to impress your fans, play to meet your set objectives. The player’s agent is everything in Europe.

“A big agent would help you sign big contracts. A famous agent plays 60% role while a little known agent plays 10% role and the rest is for the player,” he concludes

Abud inherited the left back position in the national team from Mulinge Ndeto and made it his, right from the time Adel Amrouche took over in 2013. exaggerate it. No player in the world would compare himself to another one. We are all left backs who compete for a place in the national team.

“Kenya should instead be happy that they have two quality left backs.

There’s no grudge at all between us.

It is the coach who decides the final squad and simply getting a call up means the coach is impressed with my progress and that’s what I work for,” he notes.

His journey to Europe has opened up his mind and while he is looking to join the top leagues in Europe, he is not ruling out a move to the Asian leagues at some point.

“I am here to play and move to a better team. My life has changed since I left Kenya but I need more happiness. I want that by the time I turn 28, I should have moved to top ranked countries in Europe. Failure to which I will make my mind to move to Asian countries and make more money.

His final word is directed at the

International games Country

Games 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 24

DR Congo Uganda Liberia Tanzania Lesotho Comoros Sudan Rwanda South Sudan Zambia Ethiopia Congo Egypt Morocco Botswana Swaziland Burundi Namibia Total

International coach/games Coach

Games

Adel Amrouche Stanley Okumbi Bobby Williamson Total

12 7 5 24

Follow Vincent Opiyo on Twitter: @vincentsopiyo

soka.co.ke 37

THE BIG INTERVIEW

38 soka.co.ke

ABOUD OMAR

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soka.co.ke 39

WOMEN FOOTBALL

MWANAHALIMA ADAM

The making of a goal poacher...

Mwanahalima Adam The star of the 2016 AWCON qualifiers who never got to enjoy a piece of the historic moment

By Terry Ouko

T

hat the coming on board of the current Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was a blessing to women football in Kenya is not in doubt; the gains made from 2016 have been tremendous, the peak of it all seeing the national team, Harambee Starlets grace the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the first time in the country’s history.

While the game grows, it is impossible to remove the individual players from it; the renewed interest and energized support for women football has seen a number of talented players come to the fore, among them Manahalima Adam, adoringly known as Dogo.

Dogo’s rise emanated from the National Secondary School Games but the real exposure came through the qualification process for the 2016 AWCON tournament, more so the final two legged tie of the qualifiers.

It is April 2016 and Kenya’s women national team, Harambee Starlets is set to take on Algeria in a twolegged fixture that will determine whether or not they advance to AWCON, and the first crucial match is away from home. The hosts are two goals up and everyone at home following the proceedings as they unravel, has thrown in the towel.

Suddenly, Starlets pull one back from a goalmouth melee to get an away goal.

That goal spurs Kenya’s belief; that indeed it can be done. It can be 40 soka.co.ke

achieved.

The hosts manage to just hold on to their lead and heading to the dying moments of the game, a fleet footed Dogo picks the ball in the opponent’s half and mustering all the bravery she could, dashes into the penalty area, weaves her way past a bunch of defenders and with the calmness of a sniper picks her spot to restore parity with power and precision in her strike.

nation a first ever appearance at the continental tournament.

Dogo may have gone to the two – legged tie with a known profile from her school, St. John’s Kaloleni, but she came out a polished and upcoming star; one for the future.

She is not your ordinary female footballer, given her subtle skills and dribbling abilities, the mercurial

It was an honor to score the equalizing goal in the 2 – 2 outcome against Algeria. It was particularly special to me since it was my first competitive match at the national team ~ Dogo “It was an honor to score the equalizing goal in the 2 – 2 outcome against Algeria. It was particularly special to me since it was my first competitive match at the national team,” she says, reflecting on the game in Algiers.

Back on course No one expected that kind of a comeback; not even the ardent Starlets fan would have imagined of that when the team was 2 – 0 down.

The journey to Cameroon was back on course but there was the return leg back at home to think of.

That clash at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani came with its fair share of nervous moments; a goal from Dogo disallowed before Bouheni Naima gave Algeria the lead on 23 minutes. Marshaled by Dogo, Kenya calmed the nerves with Cheris Avilia’s 75th minute goal that guaranteed the

Harambee Starlets forward who plays for Mombasa Youth Olympic in the Kenyan Women Premier League (KWPL), is proof that size is not everything in the modern game.

Having mastered the art of pleasing crowds with her exquisite technical attributes that enable her unlock some of the most resolute defenses, she has managed to book a special place in the hearts of many lovers of women football.

Decisive goal The downside to this momentous achievement for Harambee Starlets would turn out that Dogo, a major architect, would miss out on the continental showpiece as she opted to concentrate on her academics.

As much as football bears her dreams, school matters had to take precedence and she admits to help Kenya qualify and not play in the finals was really hard to take but

soka.co.ke 41

WOMEN FOOTBALL

MWANAHALIMA ADAM

is happy to have been part of the history – making team.

“It was rather bad timing for me, since I had exams at the time of the finals, but what gave me pride and joy is having been part of the qualification process. I had to concentrate on my exams first, but I’m sure I will have much more time to play now that I’m out of school,” she said.

SOYA Awards While Kenya missed her in the run up to AWCON her school didn’t, and the industrious forward shone at the school games that year. She was the centre of attraction right from the sub-county level to the East Africa games hosted in Eldoret.

Tears from the AWCON miss would later that year be wiped by Dogo being handed the Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Award (SOYA), in the Most Promising Player category, following on her Starlets team mate Neddy Atieno, who won the coveted prize in 2012.

“Being nominated for the category was already overwhelming, because there are so many talented young girls that could easily win the award as well but by the grace of God I got the slot. News of my nomination was broken to me by my Coach Joseph Oyoo, and while I was not convinced I’d win it, he sounded very assuring.

His belief in me has never been in question,” Dogo remarked.

Mwanahalima Adam receiving a SOYA Award for the Most Promising Girl category 2016

After the SOYA gong came the nomination in the Sports Personality of the Year category in the Pwani Awards, which was eventually awarded to Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Bandari FC forward Shabaan Kenga.

Early years Her family’s strong beliefs in Islam would have barred her from taking football as seriously as she does but there is no stopping Dogo when she is determined to make something happen. The big irony is her family 42 soka.co.ke

has been supportive ever since she showed signs of her talent.

This support is what has formed the bedrock of her football career,

Her nickname is derived from her diminutive nature, coming way from when she started playing football at Tuff FC with her elder brother, Kassim Adam being a football mentor, also providing crucial insight to her career

development.

Her nickname is derived from her diminutive nature, coming way from when she started playing football at Tuff FC under her development coach Said Pichu at the age of nine. At that age football to her was a leisure activity and not something she would ever think of taking as a career.

Brought up by a single mum, Dogo’s humble background came with a myriad of challenges. She reminisces how it was a struggle on her mum’s part to raise her and two of her siblings.

did not favor her so much. She was bullied and belittled and her only response was with her skill on the pitch. With a mix of speed and trickery she’d earn a place in coach Oyoo’s Coastal Queens, which later transformed to Mombasa Youth Olympic.

school to participate in the AWCON tournament, since she played a big part from the beginning but she heeded advice to stay back and concentrate on her studies. I met her in the football circles, but am proud of her for having chosen the right path,” Oyoo adds.

Her talent, and discipline saw her land a full scholarship at St. John’s Kaloleni and while balancing academics and play was tough, she did it though, winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Golden Boot award in each of her four years in school.

With her secondary school studies done, Dogo has shifted gears and much as she is looking to cement her place at Starlets, she wants to make hay while her sun shines. She hopes to play professional football and her WPL team and Starlets, she knows, will be her launching pad.

“I spotted Dogo in Likoni when she was only ten years old playing football with kids in the estate. I saw something in her and started following her.

“I have been working hard in training so that I can score more goals than I did last season. Despite our team not being in the top three, I managed to score 22 goals and my target this

I have been working hard in training so that I can score more goals than I did last season. Despite our team not being in the top three, I managed to score 22 goals and my target this season is to score more since I have more time to train and concentrate on building my football career ~ Dogo “I kept tabs on her through her sports teacher and I’d follow her progress in and out of school. In 2012 when I was appointed to coach the primary school team representing Coast region at the National School Games, she was in the team and that is when the raw talent in her came to the fore,” Oyoo says.

“Growing up in Likoni toughened me up from a tender age, since my mum would do odd jobs or sell items to cater for our upkeep. I started developing interest in football as I followed my elder brother when he went to play, and the fact that I could match the boys made him very proud.

“My coach Kassim followed my progress keenly until one day coach Oyoo spotted me and took me to play for Coastal Queens and it was hard for me to believe him when he said that I’d be a big player someday.”

Being the tiniest among her peers

Oyoo has turned out to be Dogo’s mentor and he has no regrets for the major decisions the striker has made concerning football and her academics.

“Missing the biggest competition of her life was unfortunate but sometimes choices must be made.

In as much as women football is making major strides in the country, girls must always remember that education is key.

“She would have easily opted out of

season is to score more since I have more time to train and concentrate on building my football career.

“One of my objectives right now is to play abroad, and I will work hard to meet the target. I have had several offers from neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda, but I feel the level of football there compared to Kenya is more or less the same so I hope I can land better offers,” Dogo remarked.

Winnie Achieng is Dogo’s team mate at Mombasa Olympic and has been a friend for close to a decade now and she admits that the goal poacher can scale the heights if well guided.

“We have been playing together since we were in primary school and her consistency is admirable.

We sometimes choose not to train seriously when the coach is not soka.co.ke 43

around but being the captain, Dogo cannot condone that.

“To her every moment counts, and each time she sets foot on the pitch she gives 100%. She not only motivates us, but also acts as a unifying factor when she notices the slightest rift in the team. We are not 44 soka.co.ke

a very experienced side especially in the league, but she always encourages us to have a sense of belief in ourselves and that’s why we always upset big teams when they least expect us to,” Achieng says in summing up Dogo’s impact at the team.

We have been playing together since we were in primary school and her consistency is admirable. We sometimes choose not to train seriously when the coach is not around but being the captain, Dogo cannot condone that ~ Achieng’ Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

DOGO Fact File Full Name Nick Name Date of Birth

Mwanahalima Adam Dogo 4/9/ 1997

Height

5’4ft

Weight

53 Kg

Position

Midfielder

Club Current

Mombasa Youth Olympic

Previous

Coastal Queens

Education 2004 - 2012

Vyemani Primary

2013 - 2016

St. Johns Kaloleni Secondary

Awards • SOYA Awards- Most promising girl • East and Central Airtel Rising Stars – Most Valuable Player • National Airtel Rising Stars – Most Valuable Player/Golden boot winner

National Team Caps • 4 (Algeria - 2),Tanzania, Lynch Burg (USA)

soka.co.ke 45

Stephen Waruru races in celebration after scoring his team’s equalizer in a 2 - 2 draw with Gor Mahia 46 soka.co.ke

STEPHEN WARURU

BACK WITH A BANG Stephen Waruru, the silent assassin is back and doing what he knows best - scoring

By Zachary Oguda

S

tephen Waruru is back, and back with a bang. The silent assassin bred at Thika United and perfected at Ulinzi Stars is the new poster boy at the Nakuru based team after John Mark Makwatta stole the thunder in 2016, finishing as top scorer and fueling his move to ambitious Zambian side Buildcon FC.

Waruru only has to score three goals to surpass his best ever tally – 12 in 2011 and there is no doubt he will get to a new high, going by the performance that made him the first player in the top flight this season to hit double figures, the ninth and tenth goals coming against giants Gor Mahia in the 15th week of matches.

The man who bagged the Golden Boot in 2011 before going off the radar on official duty is back and out to reclaim his throne. His performance at the close of July says it all; with 10 goals to his name, and those netted in nine matches.

At the close of the first leg of the 2017 season, Waruru had scored almost half of Ulinzi Stars goals and there is no refuting his sentiment that he is in the form of his life.

The Kenyan international has had his high and low moments already in the season but Ulinzi Stars comfortably perched at the summit of the standings at the close of July is all he cares for as he settles down for a chat with Soka.

“Actually I was never away; I just took a sabbatical from the game and I feel I am in the best form of my life,” a confident Waruru says in summarizing his form in 2017.

He seems calm and collected, betraying the profile of a man who has menacingly turned defenders inside out so far in the season.

With half of the season played,

He is however keen to state he puts the team before individual achievements.

Actually I was never away; I just took a sabbatical from the game and I feel I am in the best form of my life ~ Waruru “My task is to score goals and the more I score the more I feel relieved.

The team winning will always come first; so when anyone can get the ball past the opposition keeper then I am ok. I will always do my part in a game and hope we come out victorious,” Waruru says.

PLAYER FOCUS

Ulinzi Stars had a great season in 2016 getting to the GOtv Shield final and finishing third in the premier league, and the price they paid, was losing their main striker, Makwatta.

His departure might have caused a few jitters at the team but clearly Waruru has solved that problem and for the second season in a row, the team may just produce the top scorer in the league.

The time Waruru spent out on military duty was perfect for reflection, for rejuvenation. A disguised mission to prepare him to take the mantle from Makwatta though he admits being out there, he missed football.

The hunger he has shown in coach Benjamin Nyangweso’s team proves him right.

“In the military, serving the country is our first priority so I had to take the order when I was sent for a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

“I will lie if I said I did not miss football but I knew one day I would still get the chance. I am now back to continue from where I left,” Waruru continues.

Chania High School Waruru’s goal scoring prowess was carved a little under a decade ago; the diminutive forward was plucked straight from Chania High School by the little known Thika Sportiff, where he’d last just six months, before getting spotted by Thika United and in 2009 he made his premier league debut.

As he goes in the hunt for a second Golden Boot, the striker has a lot of gratitude for his former teams’ contribution in molding him.

“Without Thika United and Thika Sportiff I wouldn’t be where I am today. Sportiff gave me the first

soka.co.ke 47

PLAYER FOCUS

STEPHEN WARURU

In the military, serving the country is our first priority so I had to take the order when I was sent for a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan ~ Waruru

Nyangweso is under no illusion at the gem he has in his team in the shape of Waruru. “The striker is the spark that could change a game in a snap; the exemplary player every coach needs,” Nyangweso says.

“Football is a team game but sometimes you need one or two exemplary players to turn the tide in your team’s favor.

Stephen Waruru (right) with teammate Dan Waweru in a warm up session ahead of a past league match

taste of football outside school and together with Thika United they made the striker in me to a level I got called to the U17 and U20 national teams,” he says.

Through Thika United, he was as well a beneficiary of the partnership with South Africa’s Bootlaces Academy, which saw him and current Thika United skipper Dennis Odhiambo sent down south to continue with their football development at the academy.

happened; all I can say, it was not a good experience. Before boarding the plane for the journey I imagined this would be the start of greater things.

“We are lucky to have him because he does not only score but assists. His presence in the field alone is enough to worry the opposition and at times that is good for his team mates. He is definitely a key member of the team,” Nyangweso opens up to Soka.

“There were European scouts attached to the academy and the general assumption was that we will soon be going to Europe but obviously it didn’t turn out that way for me and I had to return” he shares.

For all his prowess, Waruru has as well attracted controversy. His two goals against Gor Mahia that completed a fight – back from 2 – 0 down to 2 – 2 at full time earlier in the season, did not evoke the best of reactions from Gor Mahia supporters as he stripped his jersey in celebration at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

That is when Ulinzi Stars swooped and like he says, it has not been the same again. His coach Benjamin

Police had to lob tear gas to quell the protests from Gor fans who were getting violent, claiming he had

That however proved to be a not – so – good turn in his young career as he had to come back We are lucky to have him because he does not only score but assists. home soon afterwards. It is a memory he wants to quickly His presence in the field alone is enough to worry the opposition banish.

“I really can’t explain what

48 soka.co.ke

~ Nyangweso

STEPHEN WARURU

PLAYER FOCUS

Stephen Waruru acknowledges fans after scoring against Mathare United in a league match earlier in the season

flashed the middle finger at them in his celebration.

Waruru has been consistent in refuting this. He says it is the last thing he’ll ever do.

“A lot has been said about the celebration but I did nothing wrong.

People have been seeking relevance with things that don’t exist. The only wrong I did was to celebrate in front of their fans but since I started playing I have never disrespected any player or fan,” Waruru notes.

A proven scorer, tried and tested locally, Waruru draws his inspiration from beyond Africa.

Former Brazilian international, striker Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima remains his role model years after hanging boots, and Waruru says to date, he still watches the striker’s clips and tries to apply in his game.

His most influential coach, he says, remains Abdalla Juma, the current

Chemelil Sugar FC head coach. For all, he is thankful to the man who gave him his KPL debut – at Thika United.

“I have worked under some of the greatest coaches in the country; they have all been good to me. In my earlier footballing life, I had one Richard Kanyi who made me believe I could play football, but I have to thank Abdalla Juma because despite

This season, an early exit from the GOtv Shield as well as the CAF Confederations Cup have been major lows for the team.

The Nakuru side can still vie for the league title though. Waruru is confident that barring any calamities Ulinzi Stars will stage a serious title fight this term.

A lot has been said about the celebration but I did nothing wrong.

People have been seeking relevance with things that don’t exist.

The only wrong I did was to celebrate in front of their fans. I have never disrespected any player or fan ~ Waruru my age, he gave me my KPL debut and I am forever indebted to him,” Waruru notes.

In 2016, in Waruru’s absence, Ulinzi Stars reached the GOtv Shield final and managed to fight for the KPL title to the final weeks of the campaign.

Every game is tough in the KPL, but we can win it; there is that feeling we can get it. All we need is to continue doing what we are doing and keep the confidence,” he concludes.

Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

soka.co.ke 49

STEPHEN WARURU STATs 10 GOALS IN NINE KPL MATCHES AS AT 15TH JULY 2017

7

R

WINNING GOALS

3 in 16

H

OPENING GOALS

0

P

POINT WINNING GOALS

3 in 16

CLUB

3 in 16 POSITION

Ulinzi Stars FC 50 soka.co.ke

3

FORWARD

soka.co.ke 51

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

EMMANUEL MUTISO

EMMANUEL MUTISO WANJIRU

From Mukuru slum with big dreams

By Terry Ouko With humility comes loyalty and no one can attest to this fact better than the Naivas FC head coach John Irungu, in regard to Emmanuel Mutiso, his longest serving player at the team.

Born and bred at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi’s Embakasi area, Mutiso joined Naivas FC when he was in Form Two at Jogoo Road High School after Irungu spotted him as a 16 – year old, with electrifying pace and great ball handling skills and his allegiance to the team has never been swayed.

The youngster began his football career with Dandora Blues in the Nairobi County League in 2011 before joining Whiteworth FC in the Nairobi Regional League a year later.

He would then form part of the team that started from scratch at the supermarket chain side but his football journey, like many others, was not always a smooth ride.

Tough childhood Mukuru Kwa Njenga is ranked among the most dangerous areas in Nairobi, fueled by crime and poverty levels and growing in such a neighborhood gave him vital life lessons. He was forced to fend for himself most of the time, while together with his three siblings they were time and again required to run errands, including hawking, all aimed at aiding their

52 soka.co.ke

mother put food on the table.

He developed a thick skin, and playing football bare footed in the rocky pitches of Embakasi after school offered the therapy he knew best.

“Life in the slum was not easy but we had fun. This environment shaped and toughened me psychologically and helped me discover my football talent. If I had not grown up with the friends I had, life would have been very boring,” he says as he takes a trip back the years.

At the age of seven, Mutiso had to go through the painful experience of seeing his parents separate, which culminated in him being sent to stay with her mum’s friend Elizabeth Wanjiru; who agreed to raise him as one of her children.

His parents’ fallout accounts for one of his lowest moments, despite his age then, and he says it felt like he had been orphaned.

Despite the tough times, he managed to move on; in the slum, the strong ones always do.

A day a time “We lived a day at a time, and let God take care of the next day. My hood enabled me discover my talent, and despite the problems, God still gave me a good family and a second mother who took care of me like her own child. She made sure that I got an education, and provided for my needs, and for that I’m forever grateful,” he adds.

As if he had not gone through enough pain already, Mutiso lost his younger

“Like a miracle, I got a scholarship through football and while this was cause for celebration, it was a new challenge that came my way. I now had to structure a way of balancing between academics and the game. In one of the school tournaments coach Irungu spotted me and signed me up at Naivas, but a key aspect about him, he was keen that I complete my secondary school education,” he reveals.

Club Career In Mutiso, coach Irungu had spotted a gem; a player that would fit perfectly in his philosophy. His technical ability, Irungu says, gave him an edge over his team mates.

The young man was no doubt talented, and to make it to a team that was at the time targeting players who were at least 18 years of age was an oddity. The coach did not have second thoughts about signing him.

And to prove his worth, Mutiso went on to bag the club’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade in 2015 as well as the Reckitt Inter brother in 2014. But We lived a day at a time, and let God take care of the next Supermarkets Games his mentality had MVP the same year, already been shaped; day. My hood enabled me discover my talent, and despite the after a scintillating the strong young problems, God still gave me a good family and a second mother performance. man would mourn who took care of me like her own child ~ Mutiso but trudge on, since “Mutiso is one of he had two siblings the very first players looking up to him as well. The two stemming from his football skills.

I recruited in the team, and in that then living with their grandmother. regard he is currently the longest Partial scholarship serving player having been in the “My brother was my best friend, The determined youngster headed to team since its inception. He has been and his death hit me hard since we Jogoo Road High School on a partial a top player ever since he joined the were very close. For some reason, he sponsorship and apart from this club, and his loyalty is not in question. encouraged me to keep pursuing my easing the burden on his guardian, it football dream; he believed I would cleared the way to him meeting up “I have been monitoring his progress, achieve something from football with the coach who would shine a though he is sometimes not in the eventually,” Mutiso reminisces. light in his life – Irungu. best form, just like any player who With focus trained on bettering himself and his siblings’ lives, Mutiso had to shed off friends he felt weren’t adding value to his ambitions; as a person and as a footballer. And as if a guardian angel was watching down on him, he landed a scholarship,

“For us in the slums, getting secondary education is a very expensive affair, but then I knew I could make it in life through football.

It was not easy though, because many friends saw no hope and quit football along the way.

has to juggle between work and football but he has been one of the most consistent players around. With discipline he can get to where he wants; they say talent is not enough, and sometimes hard work is the only determinant that separates boys from men,” Irungu notes.

soka.co.ke 53

PLAYER SPORTLIGHT

EMMANUEL MUTISO

Emmanuel Mutiso has a session alone after the team’s training session

54 soka.co.ke

EMMANUEL MUTISO

Not everyone gets to play in the top league, and not everyone lands a job while having the luxury of doing what they are passionate about.

Mutiso is among the few, having gotten a job at Naivas not only to secure his future but also to earn extra income besides the allowances he enjoys from the team’s matches.

At 20, Mutiso knows he has his whole career ahead of him and he is not relenting on his target to rise through the ranks.

“I am glad that I got a job at Naivas and now am able to fend for my

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

family. A few years back, that was not in my wildest dreams but God worked a way to get me here.

My aim is to play in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), and in as much as I love my team Naivas it would be a dream come true if I landed in one of the top teams. Naivas supports us, and I’m sure if a top team comes, they would not have a problem with it.

“However, while here, I will continue working hard and giving my best because we have the best coach and a superb playing unit that is capable of scaling the heights,” he concludes

For us in the slums, getting secondary education is a very expensive affair, but then I knew I could make it in life through football. It was not easy though ~ Mutiso

Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

soka.co.ke 55

SPREADING THE LESSONS

DAN MAKORI

WHEN THE BOOT WRINKLES To quit altogether or to shift to coaching? The big question players ask themselves when retirement approaches

By Zachary Oguda

A

common line among Kenyan tacticians terms coaching ‘a thankless job’; that is debatable and subject to personal translation but the mentality is not getting into retiring players’ heads.

No, it isn’t deterring them from taking the step in a bid to impart on the youth the knowledge they have.

One former player who is really excelling in that area is former Gor Mahia winger, Dan Makori – the man who has managed to put the little known Wajiji FC (formerly Embakasi United) on the Kenyan football map.

Makori hit a milestone with the team in the 2017 GOtv Shield campaign, after leading it in a first ever competitive game against a top flight side as the minnows took on four time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Ulinzi Stars in the first round of the tournament.

Wajiji, taking on the 2016 finalists, gave a good

56 soka.co.ke

account of themselves, in the end only losing 1 – 0, and the celebration from Ulinzi Stars players after the game said all in terms of the kind of opposition they got.

“It was not an easy match; knockout matches are normally not easy,” Ulinzi Stars head coach, Benjamin Nyangweso offered after the game. “When small teams meet big teams they want to show that they can cause an upset, so it was expected.

The most important thing is that we won,” he added.

That game was the marker, the introduction Makori needed, having taken over at the team in 2016. Popularly known as Mwalimu in his heyday, the man who featured for among other teams, KPL giants

Gor Mahia, KCB and City Stars is ready to take his place among the best.

Teaching and coaching Teaching is his calling and to teach football tactics, is one area he had always pictured himself in, though the big leap did not just come overnight, especially with the training needed beforehand.

The urge to continue playing a role in football development even after quitting active playing was strong ~ Makori

“It took me really long to make the decision; I knew

one day I would hang boots but with no coaching badges to show, I had a small challenge,” Makori tells Soka.

The urge to continue playing a role in football development even after quitting active playing was strong. The fire was in him and even without experience and papers, he knew he had to start from somewhere.

When he presented himself to a local football team, Embakasi United, and offered to lead the side, some saw it as a joke, they may have been right to view it that way given Makori had no papers to match his ambition. But he had the status; having played for Gor Mahia, he was idolized, and with this it didn’t take long for him to establish a rapport with the local youths, who formed a core of the team.

“The youths here had a team but they lacked a leader and I saw it as an opportunity to pass my

football knowledge to them as well as planting good virtues in them.

Many had resorted to smoking bhang and crime, and only used football to pass time. But that has since changed,” Makori adds.

With a background in teaching, Makori’s ambition merged well with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) rollout of training coaches from the basic level in October 2016 and while he undertook his CAF C License he set himself well on course for a crucial step in retirement from actively playing.

Beneficiary He was as well a beneficiary of the coaching courses offered Arsenal instructors, facilitated by SportPesa.

Having played actively just recently, Makori is well versed with players’ needs, their psychology and concerns.

He understands the place of a

player in the team, and places them high. However, he knows they need guidance for them to be able to work together. “Football is about team work and the more we work together, the more we try to get positive results and that’s how I want my team to be,” he notes.

With his coaching studies taking off well, he registered the team in the Nairobi County League and managed to secure a sponsorship for the same

In the first season, he guided the team to a top of the table finish, earning promotion to the Nairobi Regional League (NRL). It may seem easy but make no mistake, it isn’t.

“The first step in everything you do needs a lot of courage, I’m lucky that I made it and I’ve never looked back. When I started here not everything was rosy but I soldiered on. I don’t only see this as a career path but an opportunity to pass my

When small teams meet big teams they want to show that they can cause an upset, so it was expected. The most important thing is that we won ~Nyangweso from Wajiji Constructors. The financial aid came with a condition to change the name, from Embakasi United to Wajiji FC; that was well complied with.

football knowledge to the upcoming generation of footballers who would like to make it through football.

“I have to thank Wajiji Company for coming on board. Football now is soka.co.ke 57

SPREADING THE LESSONS

business. With the logistics sorted, I think it’s a show that should be emulated by other institutions in supporting the game,” opines.

Makori’s coaching know-how is not the only benefit the players derive; he has links stretching wide from his playing career and he hopes to use these to get his players chances to try out with teams in the national leagues.

Very lucky “I can say I have been lucky with my coaching journey. The friends I made during my playing days have been helpful in a way or the other. We have players who are being followed by the big teams and our policy that we won’t block anyone if a good deal comes through,” he reveals.

Makori’s route is being taken by a number of players as well, current and former. Tusker FC’s Brian Osumba is the force behind Utawala Youth FC, an estate team that he hopes to transform and see it rise to play in the national leagues.

Nicholas Muyoti, who had a good playing career is now at the helm at KPL side Thika United, having earlier breathed life into Imara FC of Embakasi; Joseph Nyaga has Mwihoko United of Zimmerman, while Bonventure Maruti runs the Bonventure Maruti Academy and Nathan Munai is at Headquarters FC.

Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

58 soka.co.ke

DAN MAKORI

soka.co.ke 59

LESSONS

FAME AND FOOTBALL

LEARNING FROM PAST EXAMPLES Pitfalls players meet in dealing with fame that comes too early

By Stevonne Cyril Githinji

A

lfayo Odongo, Ken Simiyu, Patrick Nachok, Pascal Opiyo and Zablon Amanaka. What do these names have in common? One who never heard of these names would ask. To answer that question, one would have to be familiar with the Kenyan football scenario.

These players were just some of the crème de la crème of the football talent pool at their peak. Taking the examples of these players and many others within the footballing world such as those of Paul Gascoigne and George Best, it is important to ask ourselves why did these players end their careers the way they did and what can be done especially for Kenyan footballers who look up at future glory days playing professional football at peak levels and to avoid the dreaded burn out.

Alfayo Odongo turned out for the now defunct Rivatex Football Club and as a midfielder he was known for his goal scoring prowess and a remarkable left foot which produced his specialty left foot shots. It is said that he once breached the net with a left footed shot in a premier league match. Ken Simiyu made a name for himself when he scored the famous goal against the mighty Nigeria back in 1997, a match which Kenya went on to draw, a remarkable feat then. Patrick Nachok was a player whose goal scoring prowess was very well known when he plied his trade for Kenya Breweries (the current Tusker FC). Pascal Opiyo and Zablon Amanaka were defenders who commanded the game from the backline for Kenya with remarkable composure.

Fall from grace Aside from being remarkable footballers during their heyday, these players are known to have fallen from grace with a thud.

Like quite a substantial number of players, their glorious playing days 60 soka.co.ke

reportedly came to an end because of alcoholism. Alfayo Odongo, Simiyu and Nachok are said to have succumbed to excessive alcohol abuse brought about by a difficult adjustment process when they hang

lot of benefits including better remuneration for their services to their respective clubs. However this raw fame also brought with it a downside which eventually dragged them down.

In growing the talent of a young footballer it is important to help them deal effectively with the pros and cons of the fame that comes with great performances their boots, which was way before they reached the acceptable age of footballing retirement which is usually set at 38 to 40 years. In other words these players burnt out.

Investigating the factors which led to the flop of these players and other famous ones like Dennis Oliech will lead us into the foray of psychologists. It is important to note that all these players started playing football in their teens and for their school teams before they went on to dominate the game at their peak.

When they started out these players were accustomed to raw fame that elevated them among their peers within their respective society and communities.

With this fame they got a whole

Fame achieved at an early age has a whole lot to do with the proper failures we have been witnessing from our own footballers over the years. It is the fame which has contributed to the downward spiral of the standards of Kenyan football on the pitch. Many football players who start out early become easily distracted by the praise they start getting as early as their school ball playing days. In fact most of these players who begin in school flop academically because football provides much distractions and some have even made the bad choice of quitting high school before graduating and this goes on to haunt them when their playing days are over.

It is the fame that has in deed barred such players from focusing on growing their talent by nurturing and developing it gradually as they grow. There is so much hype around these players that most of them easily become depressed as a result of finding it hard to adjust and to live up to the romanticized expectations of their fans. As a result of this depression some quit early while some take up destructive behaviors which involve use of drugs and

indulging in dangerous illicit sexual affairs which drains them of the much needed energy to hone their skills.

In an era of international footballing prospects and social media, many young footballers develop a cult-like fan following who demand more from them with each passing moment. The cultic following also drives the young footballers to develop an insatiable lust for fame and as a result some if not all have taken up the bad-boy image just to keep up appearances.

Such bad-boy image will involve the use of self-destructive attitudes that not only endanger the lives of these performers but also decrease their performance levels.

Many factors Of course there are many factors which will promptly lead to the talent drain of young professional footballers in Kenya. As performers and star entertainers some factors do indeed stand out, chief of which is the degree to which the

young footballer is manipulated for financial gain by people around him. As a result they feel unwanted pressure and their level of emotional intelligence diminishes. The time they spend in the limelight is also another factor that stands out. Many football managers will use these players every other weekend not just as squad players but as the main event and with every match the pressure to perform continues to grow and eventually overwhelms them, and

when the players performance level wanes the criticism becomes unbearable so much so that they seek an exit strategy which they mostly find in abuse of drugs either to enhance performance or just to create a mental haven away from the critics.

Other factors which contribute to the downward spiraling of young footballing talent in Kenya that has something to do with fame include the degree to which the youngster feels able to exercise choice in relation to whether he plays or not.

Indeed most of them don’t have a choice they have to do as they are told and this affects the environment in which they are expected to work, culminating in a rebellious behavior that is both detrimental to the team and the player himself.

Fame without fortune It is also counter-productive that these players get exposed to the high flying life of showbiz early,

that emotional pressure to adapt increases immensely. The fact that Kenyan football does not pay very well to sustain this lifestyle may prompt the young player to become a drug trafficker or a petty thief since it is true that fame without fortune can lead good people into doing very bad things just to keep up appearances.

The public also contributes to the downward spiraling effect by creating a very high expectation of these young performers. When the public romanticize that the style of a particular player is akin to that of the best player in the world, the young footballer is forced to try and push himself to such a level, which creates huge pressure for him and is usually very exhausting trying to be like someone else. The exhaustion affects the players’ performance. It is in this light that professional football shrinks discourage nicknames of established players. You may not call a local Kenyan footballer ‘Ronaldo’ as a nickname.

In summary, young performers in this case, footballers with big reputations, have to cope with a lot. Jealousy is one thing they have to deal with and it can come from anywhere even within his own family and peer circle. Because of this, young stars become hardened against trust and this affects their training regiments because they feel that even the coaches want to bring them down. Due to this they become averse to learn. The young footballer may also have to deal with intense public scrutiny, loss of privacy, unwanted attention from obsessed fans that may also be deranged, pressure to maintain an image which may very well be at odds with their true personality.

The youngster develops a fear for dropping levels of performance and a fear of readjustment to non-stardom when such happens and as a result they become overly self-important and arrogant in an effort to divert the public’s inquisition about the drop in their performance levels. As a punchline, it is worth noting here the famous quote: ‘It is always lonely at the top.’ soka.co.ke 61

CURRENT ISSUES

AFCON

THE CHANGING FACE OF AFCON What chance does Kenya stand with the changes?

By Patrick Korir

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t a meeting held on Thursday 20 July, in Rabat, Morocco, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reviewed the resolutions of the various working groups of the first CAF African Football Symposium held from 18 -19 July 2017 and agreed to increase participants at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 16 to 24 teams.

At the same time, the Committee agreed to shift the biannual event from the traditional January – February window to the June – July one, starting with the 32nd edition of the tournament to be held in Cameroon in 2019.

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The implication of the decision to expand from 16 to 24 teams is that all the 12 participating four-team groups (from Group A to Group L) will provide the top two Nations for the 32nd edition of Africa’s premier continental showpiece to be hosted

by Cameroon.

Prior to the change, the 12 group winners had a pass to the event and would be joined by three best runners up who were to join the hosts.

The call comes at a time all the 48 teams at the group stages banded in the 12 groups had already done a round of qualifiers each in June 2017.

The move by CAF, exciting as it may

sound, does not change Kenya head coach Stanley Okumbi’s plans for the 2019 tournament. He wants to lead the team to Cameroon as the top finisher in the group.

Kenya is pooled with Ghana - whom they face off with in March 2018, Sierra Leone - who downed them 2-1 in the opening clash in June, and Ethiopia who started their campaign with a 0-5 loss Ghana’s Black Stars in Kumasi.

“We need to stick to our first target; that only one team will qualify from our group, and really give a good fight,” he says.

Kenya’s loss to Sierra Leone, and Ghana’s huge opening win, left Harambee Stars third in the group but Okumbi is confident that the team will rise from the bad start and end the long wait for a return to the tournament.

“We still have five matches to play; three of them at home. Losing the first match does not mean we are out; we still have a chance and we will

fight for it,” he adds.

The expansion of the competition comes after 23 years, since the addition of four teams to the 12 teams in 1994 to make it 16.

Summary of the CAF decisions in Rabat AFCON – Competition and specifications • Increasing the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams as of the 2019 edition.

• Tournament to be held in the months of June and July, changing from January – February.

• The competition will remain a biennial event (every two years), odd years.

• Tournament to be exclusively held on African soil with African national teams.

Inter-club competitions • Current format to be retained but to start from August to May ( changing from February – November).

Football development (Coaching, Refereeing, Medical) • The principle of increasing the indemnities of referees was approved.

• Committee agreed to explore all scientific and medical solutions to eradicate the phenomenon of

age cheating.

• Research to help to determine the causes of sudden death among footballers, of which majority of the victims are of African origin to be sought.

Youth Football • The Committee decided to organize zonal qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations for the youth categories (U-17, U-20, U-23). Each zone offered flexibility to propose a formula.

• The committee agreed to strengthen medical checks in determining the eligibility of players.

International Partnerships • Call for improved relations between CAF, its member associations, Governments and the African Union passed.

Communication and Media • CAF to use communication tools on the digital platforms and social media including creation of a website in line with the standards of CAF. • Commitment to take into account the expectations of the media.

Football players, Roles and Perspectives • Principle to involve legendary African footballers in CAF activities adopted.

soka.co.ke 63

CAREER TEAM MANAGER

WILLIS WALIAULA

Team Manager by calling Waliaula has held a number of top jobs and has curved a niche as a career TM

By Dan Ngulu

T

wo years after Ugandan coach Sam Timbe left Sofapaka, one of his famous lines still reverberates at the club; that a good coach is always seen through the organization of his Team Manager.

“A ragged team manager, is a direct indicator of a ragged team,” the coach once said.

After a troubled period the coach had to leave and he left in protest over unpaid dues and the financial troubles courting the team then, in 2015 persisted through 2016 and the team had to fight relegation throughout the campaign.

The same cannot be said of the team today though. Sofapaka is among the most organized teams in the premier league this season, and while that may have been fueled by the monies coming in from newly acquired sponsors, Betika, Timbe’s words come to the fore emphatically with a quick scan on the team’s technical bench.

The restructuring done at the start of the year, of course occasioned by the Club Licensing woes the team faced, saw the inclusion of one Willis Waliaula as the Team Manager, joining a technical team that also had a new coach, Sam Ssimbwa.

With the uncertainty over their future, club president Elly Kalekwa says he needed the best people to galvanize the team against the threat of relegation through failing to meet the Club Licensing threshold, and 64 soka.co.ke

Waliaula, a man tried and tested came out tops.

His stop at Sofapaka and the trust bestowed in him even as he held a high seat in Sofapaka’s defence of their premier league status at the Sports Disputes Tribunal was just the cask that housed experience that has seen him occupy some of the top jobs in the country.

We always go out to work hard but again we should be true to ourselves~ Waliaula Obviously, a former Harambee Stars Team Manager, Waliaula was not born a Team Manager, he has just curved a niche for himself as a career Team Manager, a job he has perfected and

can only look back to see where he has come from.

Born of a soldier, Richard Baraza in 1980, Waliaula grew knowing a key aspect of success in life was to take orders without questioning and when he generated interest in football, his starting point was in the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) as an U12 players in Githurai zone, his favorite position being the offensive right.

The interest in football was well fanned by his father and in the year 2000, the Kenya U17 national team head coach Mohamed Kheri called him up for the game against Somalia in the 2001 African U17 Championships qualifiers. He went on to feature for the full game at the Afraha Stadium, which ended 2 – 0.

The quest for a slot at the tournament would however be crushed by Mozambique after a 1 – 1 draw at Afraha and a 0 – 2 loss in Maputo. His good showing in the

Chemelil Sugar and of course there was also the issue of playing time; I decided to go searching in Uganda and there I got a team called Arua Garage FC, where I was from mid June to December of 2008,” he says.

A move from Kenya to Uganda is not a common one these days, and just like today, then it still meant you had to take a huge pay cut to move there.

Not that Kenyan clubs were paying that well anyway.

With the conditions there, and being a foreigner, his taste of football outside Kenya’s borders was not very sweet and he had to come back home, where he tried out and was signed

by Peter Ambetsa at second tier side, Rangers (currently Posta Rangers) for the 2009 season

Sofapaka Team Manager Willis Waliaula on duty in a past KPL game

matches saw coach Tom Olaba also call him to the Kenya U20 team for the two legged qualifiers for the 2001 African Youth Championships against Egypt U20.

He featured as a second half sub at the Mumias Sports Complex as the teams played to a 0 – 0 draw, before starting the game as the team bowed out following a 0 – 2 loss away in Cairo.

Armed with five caps for the junior national teams, his profile was rising fast and Githurai Sportiff, his estate team captured him in mid 2001. He would spend six months there before Mathare United moved for him in 2002.

Play time Despite the promise he held when joining Mathare United, then under Francis Kimanzi, the youthful right – winger would find play time hard to come by, and he admits displacing Kevin Master Ochieng proved impossible.

“You have to admit that in a competitive game, sometimes there is someone on top of you. We always go out to work hard but again we should be true to ourselves. Master was at the top of his game then and to get play time, I had to look elsewhere,” he points out.

At the end of the 2003 season, and with the blessing of Kimanzi, Waliaula was out and on his way to Bidco United, where he had just landed a job with the oil firm on the side as he furthered his career but there he also found it hard to break to the first team and spent the second year just as a Bidco employee.

After a year out, off he went to try out with Chemelil Sugar at the start of the 2007 calendar year, and he was confirmed but at this point he had already attained the cap of a journey man, as after 18 months, he was already looking outward.

Arua Garage “Various factors did not favor me at

You have to admit that in a competitive game, sometimes there is someone on top of you. We always go out to work hard but again we should be true to ourselves. Master was at the top of his game then and to get play time, I had to look elsewhere ~ Waliaula At the end of that campaign, the team was promoted to the premier league.

A number of players were dropped as the team strengthened, to match the new status. Waliaula, having been a diligent servant, and with age catching up, took up the role of kit manager, this move effectively marking the end of his football career.

“I had to make a choice because my career as a player was coming to an end. Having been with the team as we chased promotion I was retained and given the job of a kit manager,” he reveals.

While getting promoted should have come with celebration, it accounted for the team and one of Waliaula’s soka.co.ke 65

CAREER TEAM MANAGER

WILLIS WALIAULA

Leopards wrangles Persistent wrangling between two groups that claimed to be bonafide AFC Leopards officials placed him in a tough situation as each claimed to call the shots and he had to But soon, wrangles over club leave. At Harambee Stars, he would ownership would ensue and PCK find himself at the center of a pulled, going with the financial Tusker failed to defend the league disagreement between the CECAFA muscle. Another restructuring, based title that year, dethroned by Gor top brass and FKF in 2015. on the new realities, saw Waliaula Mahia and that, along with a number The federation, then under Sam named the new Team Manager – his of reasons, saw the Brewers clear Nyamweya sent more than the first appointment as Team Manager out the technical bench and he was requisite number of officials to the in 2011. among them. He’d move to AFC CECAFA Senior Challenge tournament Leopards in May of the following in Ethiopia and with a ballooning “The team manager’s position was year, 2015. hotel bill, Waliaula had to stay back earlier left to old in Addis as the geezers and to a led by I worked during a very hard time in Kenyan football but I am team young man in a KPL Bobby Williamson team handed the role thankful because I learnt a lot in this period. For example, at returned to was unheard of. To after Harambee Stars, only the head coach (Bobby Williamson) and Nairobi me it was nothing elimination. tough though Musa (Otieno) had contracts ~ Waliaula because I was only The crisis blew getting redeployed,” up to a point the he says.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan He did well in the role and at the end While with Leopards, he was plucked Wario had to step in before the bills of the season was nominated for the from the U23 national team to the were cleared after which Waliaula Best Team Manager’s gong at the KPL senior team, holding the two jobs. tendered his resignation.

Footballer of the Year Awards and his He says it was not tough juggling first season in the role would see him between club and country. Both jobs “In this period I really saw the ugly come third in the gala. face of football politics. People who would however end that year.

I really respected showed their true Tusker chance colors; the real enemies of football It was the start of good things and soon after, league champions Tusker came knocking at his door.

“I was approached by Charles Obiny (Tusker CEO) when they came to sign Brian Mandela and he told me he liked the way I helped in the transfer, then asked if I was open to a move,” he says. saddest times in football. It all started with the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) coming in as the team’s sponsors, a guarantee of financial muscle for the KPL debutants.

interest in my services especially when the federation asked over my availability. I knew I was destined for good things and as I took this route, I decided to beef up my papers and so I started taking management courses,” he adds.

It was a no brainer, and in the 2013 season, he shifted base to Ruaraka, his new base in the new job as Tusker Team Manager on a two – year contract and even before settling in, he received a call from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) asking if he could take the same role at the national U23 team.

He found it interesting and the Tusker management saw no problem with him holding the two jobs.

“I was surprised at the growing 66 soka.co.ke

Recommendation from John Baraza (right) was intrumental in Willis Waliaula being hired at Sofapaka

growth. But the most disappointing thing is that even the very well established people could not stand up and speak for the team.

“I had to come out and expose the rot, and with the Ethiopia experience, the best thing is that Kenyan journalists were there and saw all that was happening. It was a big shame to the country and I opted to resign but not be part of the rot,” he says.

While he was condemned by the federation, a chunks of Kenyan saw the hero in him for exposing what happens behind the scenes.

He went off the radar for seven months before resurfacing at FC Talanta, an experience that lasted just seven months before he was handpicked by Sofapaka.

Black magic His luck with big jobs since taking the Team Manager’s cap has not won him too many admirers. There is talk that he uses black magic (juju) to always stay in employment. This, he says has to be the biggest joke.

because I learnt a lot in this period.

For example, at Harambee Stars, only the head coach (Bobby Williamson) and Musa (Otieno) had contracts.

The rest of us were just offering our services unaware of what the next day held.

“It is all about perceptions; people believe to hold such roles, one has to be very old; I think I broke that barrier. The most important thing I need to say is that I have grown through strict religious guidance and all I have achieved is a fruit of my hard work. I once had trouble from Gor Mahia fans but that was amicably settled after they were told who I was,” he quips, before adding “I am always open minded and ready for any challenge, and God too has stood up for me that I have been blessed with some roles I could only have dreamt of.”

Not angry “It was the same case with AFC Leopards and you see the consequence is that when you leave, it becomes hard to get compensated.

Nonetheless, I am not angry with anyone; I have forgiven Nyamweya for all I went through and even at Leopards I am still friends with the officials and those who were there then,” he says.

In his journey as Team Manager, he picks out AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars as the toughest jobs he ever took, before leaving without compensation. “Much as I have enjoyed the journey so far, I have had my fair share of troubles.”

“I worked during a very hard time in Kenyan football but I am thankful

The man who draws inspiration in his job from the veteran Team Manager, Neville Pudo, shares that though well equipped with documentation, he does not foresee himself going into coaching in future. He is satisfied with serving as Team Manager.

“I can be a coach if I want; I have been around for many years now and I have trained a number of team managers. I have also done coaching courses and I have the papers but that is not my calling; over the years I have come to see this as my life

and to be able to make a positive contribution to any team I serve is my greatest pleasure,” he notes.

Renowned coaches Getting some of the biggest jobs comes with working with renowned coaches. At club level, Waliaula has managed to create lifetime friendships with coaches, including Robert Matano, a man who is described as a very difficult fellow by his workmates.

Waliaula’s interactions with Matano date way back, when as a youth, he was in Matano’s team for the Copa Coca Cola Aberdares branch and after sneaking out with the team for a night out, he was among 30 players the coach sent away and named an entirely new squad.

He would meet the same man coaching Tusker, and they had a very good working relationship. He says Matano, Sammy Pamzo Omollo, Francis Kimanzi (all at Tusker) and his current boss at Sofapaka, Sam Ssimbwa, are the best coaches he has worked under.

Follow Dan Ngulu on Twitter: @danodinga

soka.co.ke 67

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

RAMADHAN BALALA

RAMADHAN BALALA Keeping with family tradition in coaching

By Fabian Odhiambo

T

o say Western Stima had an underwhelming first half of the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season would be to understate the reality; the Kisumu based side has simply failed to cope with the high standards they set a season ago.

Ramadhan Balala, an assistant coach at the club has been here before, though, as a player.

The 2008 KPL season was Stima’s first in the top flight, and Balala, just one of the few experienced names that the Powermen had roped in for reinforcement but the season didn’t come bearing the best of experiences for him and the team.

With three matches to go, Stima stayed at the tail end of the log and the possibility of plunging back to the second tier rose every second of the campaign and there needed to be a drastic, rather desperate change, to save the team’s top flight status.

That change came in the shape of Balala, as he recalls being tasked with overseeing the final two matches as a player-coach. That he did well and with just one match to go, Stima needed a win to stay afloat.

He resisted the urge to stay on the touchline in the final match of the 2008 season, and named himself in the starting team for the clash against Mahakama FC, and the day would end with Daniel Makachi powering in his floated cross for the lone goal of the game.

Of his best memories at the club, 68 soka.co.ke

that assist ranks high and gives him exquisite joy.

“The possibility of being relegated that season was very high. There were very experienced players in the team, like myself but the blend with the youth hadn’t quite gotten the spark in Stima’s first season in the top flight,” recalls Balala who had just had his second-and last stint with AFC Leopards before crossing over.

While Makachi’s goal assured Stima of survival, it condemned Mahakama to a return to the second tier. At the moment, Makachi is one of the few long-serving Western Stima players alongside Victor Oduor and Fred Shimonyo.

Current struggles They have been here since the time Balala himself was a player.

The current struggle at the club masks the growth the team has had in the recent years. Stima is one of the very few clubs that never went back to the second tier immediately after promotion.

As a matter of fact, theirs has been a tale of a positive step every year and to get to the level of producing the Kenyan Premier League’s Most Valuable Player deserve a solid round of applause.

Kenneth Muguna took home the 2016 KPL MVP of the season award while the team finished an all-time high sixth position in the 16-team league.

Balala attributes this to one thing; consistency – powered by the

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Ramadhan Balala takes on one of his academy players in Amalemba, Kakamega in a past training session soka.co.ke 69

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

RAMADHAN BALALA

assurance of employment at the parent company – Kenya Power and Lighting Corporation (KPLC).

Job guarantee “You know with most Stima players, a job is guaranteed so you will find the nucleus of the team sticking together for a long time. This has brought about consistency within the playing unit because as a player once you’ve been assured of a place you can earn a living from even after football then you simply settle down and play football.

“The stability that comes with this system is what has kept Stima afloat for so long,” offers Balala, himself a KPLC employee.

With his twilight years staring at him, Balala was offered a place in the company’s Operations and Maintenance department and this is a forte he has held well considering at times he has to play administrative roles at the club.

While his appointment at KPLC might have come fortuitously, it was not the only moment he had given a thought on how he’d spend his life after professional football.

Towards the end of the year 2010, three years after joining Stima, Balala suffered a devastating fracture to his left hand and had to spend a year out of active football. So ravaging was the injury that his hand had to be treated to six plates to hold the bones together while he recuperated.

This is the moment the reality that he would not play football forever dawned on him and he started giving serious thought about coaching.

Coaching is not something new to him though, after all, his sole inspiration to pursue football as a career was his father, Omar Matendechere, at the time a coach himself.

Being the last born, Balala was not around to see his father’s 70 soka.co.ke

Ramadhan Balala in action for his team ASEC that features former Premier League players and a few ex-internationals.

It is rare to find a high school student ripe enough to play in the Premier League while still in school. During my time I think maturity made the difference ~ Balala playing career at its peak. A former international Omar was in charge of Kenya Railways Football Club in Nakuru, the very place he roped in his son to start off his football journey.

Coaching doesn’t end here with the Omars as Asha Omar, Balala’s elder sister, currently single-handedly runs Twomoc Youth Academy in Nakuru.

So with a CAF Level C badge in his CV, Ramadhan Balala is well on his way to adding a third name to the coaches’ list in his family.

Even with the injury that saw his focus drift so heavily into coaching, Balala shares that this was one of his biggest targets, apart from playing for one of the biggest teams on the land as well as the national team.“During

my time as a player, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were the top two teams everyone dreamt of playing for. Players from Nyanza didn’t think of anything else other than play for Gor Mahia whereas we from Western province only dreamt of the blue and white,” recalls Balala, who is mainly remembered for his two stints at Leopards.

“Personally, I wanted three things in my footballing career; first was to play for Ingwe which I did at a very early age. The second was to play for the national team and having started getting junior call-ups at 15 years, I knew the senior one would come soon.

“The third was to one day give back to football as a coach, not necessarily

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LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

RAMADHAN BALALA

a Premier League coach. Anywhere, be it my own academy or helping out my dad and sister with their own academies. I just wanted to give back everything I had learnt from the sport,” says Balala.

U18 call up Balala was just a few months old at Kapenguria Boys High School when the national Under 18 team call up came. Kapenguria, then under the current St Anthony’s Kitale Boys Principal Cosmas Nabungolo, were the national champs so to have a year one student called to the national team wasn’t much of a surprise.

And Balala’s debut was one to remember as the team beat Sudan 1 – 0 in Nairobi though the two – legged tie wouldn’t end well as they couldn’t get a goal in the return leg in Khartoum as the team suffered a 0 – 2 loss.

However, the inter-clan clashes that pervaded the Kapenguria region did not offer the best environment for a blossoming young footballer pursuing academic excellence as well.

After a year he left the school, his father opting to enroll him at Kisii High School, another giant in secondary schools football at the time. Here, he met some of the players who came to be established internationals, including John Mo Muiruri, Maurice Sunguti, Simeon Mulama, Sunday Odhiambo, Hashim Ali, Shadrack Ateku, Teddy Odari and a whole lot of players that would later form a generation of the Harambee Stars in a few years.

For most part of their stay at Kisii High School, tradition dictated that Balala and his teammates at school play for Kisii based Shabana FC in the Premier League, an invaluable experience in his later travails as a player.

Shabana FC was the star of the region; Kisii’s biggest football club and the fact that it took part in the country’s top league added to the shimmer. Kisii High School had the enviable position of supplying players 72 soka.co.ke

Balala and his father Omar Matendechere who also runs Kakamega Youth Olympic Center & Gerard Anyira his cousin ( left).

to the team and those formed its core.

This, however diminished as financial forces degraded the team’s status and the shine started fading away.

Still Balala feels, disciplinary and psychological issues are what makes it hard for players today to make the cut in premier league teams, as compared to the earlier years.

“There’s a little difference now. It is rare to find a high school student ripe enough to play in the Premier League while still in school. During my time I think maturity made the difference.

We were young too but very mature

Simeon Mulama, a year ahead of him at Kisii High School, had already joined AFC Leopards by the time Balala, Sunday Khayuni, Austine Makacha and Rogers Muhanji were roped in straight from school.

Like the other players, this was the perfect launching pad for a great career and with his playing day now behind him, Balala has now joined what is turning to be a family’s hobby.

Kakamega Youth Olympic His father runs his own youth center – Kakamega Youth Olympic; his sister, a former Kenyan international, operates

My life improved when Kenya Power gave me a job other than football. I even bought a piece of land later on ~ Balala when it came to on and off-the pitch discipline. That’s why it was easier for most of us at Kisii to walk straight into Shabana’s starting eleven for most of the league ties,” Balala goes back in time.

The Southern Nyanza side came by as a community club and thus attracted a large following in the region. The Gusii Stadium would be packed to the rafters whenever Shabana played and for a youthful player, this presented a whole new experience playing in front of passionate fans.

Twomoc Youth Academy and now Balala has founded the Amalemba Sportiff Youth Academy in Kakamega to further lay evidence of the family’s important role to the sport in the country.

He takes his evenings off his day job at Stima to coach the kids who fall between the ages of 10 and 17. It is not easy to balance this with his job but Balala believes small gestures like these are crucial to the growth and continuity of the game.

While he toils to make his own brand, Balala is also keen to seen his father

and sister grow theirs. Kakamega Youth Olympic and Twomoc are occasional beneficiaries of training equipment from the former Kenyan international.

Reward father This he says, is the best way he can reward his passionate father and sister. He does not claim to have made much from his playing career, after all, it was only recently that the sport started attracting big sponsorships.

“It was peanuts,” Balala says without mincing his words. “Other than passion, the one other thing different from today’s football is the fact that money wasn’t dominant in the sport.

Even in the national team, it wasn’t much.

“I started getting call-ups from way in the junior teams till the senior Harambee Stars squad but take it from me, money was the last thing on anyone’s mind, and it wasn’t even there anyway,” chuckles Balala who got his second national team call-up while in year three of high school.

The national Under 20 and Under 23 call ups came in 1997, when he was in form three with the target being to go past Tanzania and Sudan respectively in the Africa Cup qualifiers.

Emirates.

The owner of Oman Club, he says, had passed on just three months upon Balala’s arrival at the club and took with him the club’s future in the afterlife.

He had run the club from his own pocket and with his demise, the financial constraints that would follow the club were already glaring and with his one year contract having elapsed, Balala returned home.

Then, Oserian had just won two successive league titles in the Kenyan

Ambani brothers (Fred and Boniface) as some of his teammates from that memorable season.

With the disbandment, Balala was offered a second AFC Leopards stint and he took it, but it came with its fair share of tough times, the hardest being in 2003 as Ingwe lost the Moi Golden Cup final against Chemelil Sugar FC. At the height of wrangles in the top football managers the following year, Chemelil Sugar roped him in on a pre-contract agreement for their CAF Confederations Cup campaign. The continental experience did not go

I started getting call-ups from way in the junior teams till the senior Harambee Stars squad but take it from me, money was the last thing on anyone’s mind, and it wasn’t even there anyway Premier League, before suddenly closing shop.

“No one saw it coming to be honest.

How does a three-time league champion get disbanded without any reason? I don’t know, and to this date I have never known why the management saw it fit to do away with the team,” recalls Balala, noting Mike Mururi, Noah Ayuko, the

too far as a 3-2 aggregate loss to Tanzania’s Mtibwa Sugar ended their quest and Balala returned to the den with the league taking off in two factions.

He would wear the blue and white for two more seasons before landing at his final club, Western Stima.

Regular Twin 1-1 draws against Tanzania saw Kenya fall out on penalties while later on in the year, Sudan eliminated the U23 side 2-1 on aggregate.

A skillful offensive midfielder in his time, Balala would go on to be a regular in the senior team – the Harambee Stars.

A seemingly smooth ride to the top did not quite start well for Balala outside Kenya’s borders. His one year professional stint in 2002 after winning the Moi Golden Cup with AFC Leopards a year before, didn’t turn out too promising and he would return to the country after just a year with Oman Club in the United Arab soka.co.ke 73

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL His transition from player to the technical bench came gradually but still, he can’t say it was easy.

The position of a player and that of a coach offer two very contrasting standpoints of the game.

Parent by default “As a coach first you are a parent by default. You will be expected to guard and mentor everyone in your playing unit. The pressure on the bench is high unlike when you are a player.

“It is normal for players to be given credit when a team is performing well but the moment things begin to go south, everyone turns to the coaches and that is a major challenge,” Balala says even as he looks to dive deeper in coaching, his eyes firmly fixed on pursuing his UEFA B Coaching license soon.

Balala does not regret dedicating his prime years to playing football, and has tones of wise counsel to the current crop of professional footballers.

Though he admits to not making a good fortune during his time, Balala challenges present day footballers to make hay while the sun shines.

“My life improved when Kenya Power gave me a job other than football. I even bought a piece of land later on,” he laughs on that. Investment is the only thing that can assure one of a stable life after your playing days are over. That’s why young footballers of the present time need to spend their wages wisely because truth is most of them are earning some pretty decent amounts nowadays.

“With my own I am proud to say I’ve been keeping my sister’s and dad’s dreams alive through supporting their academies. I also run my own football academy and that’s just me getting started because it is only four years ago that I was playing actively,” Balala concludes.

Follow Fabian Odhiambo on Twitter: @Fabian_Odhiambo

74 soka.co.ke

RAMADHAN BALALA

soka.co.ke 75

BLAST FROM THE PAST

COSTLY MISS

COSTLY MISS A penalty blasted wide had far reaching consequences in the history of the nation

By Patrick Korir

I

n the year 1965, Kenya was in Uganda for two qualifiers towards the inaugural All Africa Games planned for Brazzaville, Congo from July 18 to July 25.

Led by Coach Elijah Lidonde, Kenya started their campaign on a high. On 23 March of that year, they brought down rivals of yore and hosts Uganda 3-1 at the Nakivubo Stadium in the first qualifier.

76 soka.co.ke

First time ever Even with home support and a strong defense made up of Joseph Mabirizi, Prince Simbwa, John Kaddu and Ibrahim Dafala, Kenya’s Livingstone Madegwa got his way past the strong back line to fire past keeper Noah Mbowa for the first goal in the 20th minute.

He was to add another 13 minutes to time and even though Uganda’s sharp shooter Ali Kitonsa scored for

the home side, roving winger Joe Kadenge sealed the deal with Kenya’s third two minutes to time.

Two days later, still at Nakivubo Stadium, Kenya took on the dreaded United Arab Republic (Egypt) – for the first time ever. The side had a reputation preceding them; Africa Cup of Nations winners in 1957 and 1959, runners up in 1962 (to Ethiopia) and third best in 1963.

Weaved past Full of self-belief Kenya took a 2-0 lead by the 15th minute. Madegwa dropped in the first after ten minutes and five minute later Ahmed Breik of Mombasa’s Feisal doubled matters.

Ali Kajo then added a third later for Kenya to take a 3-0 lead. But UAR began to claw back and scored in the 35th minute through Farouk El-Sayed to send the game to a 3-1 half time score. Soon after resumption, Reda beat keeper James Siang’a to make the scores 3-2.

It was all level two minutes to the hour mark when Hamada Emam weaved past a Kenyan defense marshaled by Anthony Mukabwa, John Shisia, John Otieno and Jonathan Niva to score the third.

Fancied At the stroke of the hour, Kenya was awarded a penalty after Ali Kajo was hacked down in the box.

Ahmed Breik picked up the ball anticipating to take the resultant spot kick. However, to his surprise, his club mate at Mombasa Feisal, Kajo snatched the ball from him and the two had a heated exchange over who was to take the penalty.

Breik let go and Kajo stepped up to take it . . . . . . . he missed!

That miss would prove disastrous on two fronts; the game seemed destined for a 3-3 draw but Reda poked a fourth goal at the death to hand Egypt an undeserved 4-3 win.

During the final round of qualifiers two days later, Uganda handed the fancied Egypt a 5-1 beating at a water-logged Nakivubo Stadium.

Sailed through The home team adapted well and fastest to the drenched surface and

Even with home support and a strong defense made up of Joseph Mabirizi, Prince Simbwa, John Kaddu and Ibrahim Dafala, Kenya’s Livingstone Madegwa got his way past the strong back line to fire past keeper Noah Mbowa for the first goal in the 20th minute. dominated the Egyptians - John Ddibya and Ali Kitonsa each scored a brace.

The final result left all three teams with the same number of points. But it was Uganda who sailed through to the next round of qualifiers on goal difference.

athletes from 29 nations, they failed to attain a podium finish as hosts Congo won the soccer title by beating Mali in the final. Ivory Coast went home with the Bronze

Kajo’s unconverted penalty proved to be one costly miss . . . .

Though Egypt proceeded to the final tournament - the first ever All Africa games that in whole attracted 2,500

Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

soka.co.ke 77

SOKA CROSSWORD

AND PUZZLE

Soka Crossword 5 2

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Game Yetu Crossword

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1. Nick __ plays for Wigan Athletic as a

2. Kenyan pro footballer also called Dennis Oguta (6)

5. A championship (4)

3. League in Spanish (4)

7. Football Club also known as K’Ogalo

4. Spanish pro. Footballer whoplays as a

(3-5) 16

18

Down

midfielder (6)

10

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right midfielder (6)

8. Football team based in Fulham, west

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London (7)

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6. FC that adopted the name Medisca

10.Short form of Japan League (1-6)

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11.__ Balotelli plays as a striker for

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Nice (6) ACROSS: 1.Vincent 7.Stephen 9.Amos 10.Cramp 12.Ingwe 13.Win 14.Bender 16.Murphy 20.Exercise 22.Half time 23.Anne 24.Football 26.Run 27.SC 28.Off 30.Pads 31.Odede 32.Tie 33.Essex DOWN: 1.Vince 2.Navas 3.Time 4.Essien 5.League 6.Threw 8.Noon 11.Prohibited 15.Elek 17.Utah FC 18.Finer 19.Defender 21.Eva 25.Loss 27.Sit 29.Fox 30.PE

Putera (3)

PF: SOCCER POSITIONS E C E G N R

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9. __ FC is the United Soccer League

14. Ghana FC nicknamed The Blues (3- 5)

10. Runs at a steady pace (4)

16. Andrew __plays for New England

12. James __ plays as a defender for West

Revolution of Major League (7) 18.Was chairman for Athletics Kenya,1974-1984 (3-6)

Ham United (7) 15. Tim __ plays for the United States national team (4)

20.The __ EURO is governed by the

21.Tunji __ played for Leyton Orient (5) I

8 __ Mwaba played for Power

affiliate of New York City FC (3-7)

European Minifootball Federation (3)

Previous Pathfinder Solution

Thika (5-6)

Dynamos (6)

13. Jonathan __ plays for PS Barito

Previous Soka Crossword Solutions

5. Fellow member of a team (8)

22.State of being or health (9)

16. A football pitch is also called a soccer __(5) 17. Payan __ is a retired Iranian footballer and current coach (6) 19.__ Verma plays for Conference North side Tamworth (4)

I

Path Finder: Best Paid Footballers O

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Path Finder The path finder grid below contains a selection of the best paid footballers in Kenya, starting with the highlighted ‘V’.

The words form a continuous path, passing through each letter on the grid once. The path always moves horizontally or vertically, and never diagonally.

There are 8 positions to find in total

By Lenny Ruvaga ruvagalenny@hotmail.com 78 soka.co.ke

AND PUZZLE

COVER STORY

soka.co.ke 79

80 soka.co.ke