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VOL 1 | ISSUE 6 MARCH/APRIL 2017

STAR ON THE RISE

JOHN MACHARIA

WOMEN FOOTBALL

FLORENCE ADHIAMBO

Defying the odds to inspire upcoming footballers

THE BIG INTERVIEW

ALLAN WANGA

on how to prepare for LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

johanna omolo

DENNIS OLIECH On turning down Manchester United and his football safari

SOKA

MAGAZINE SokaKenya Soka_Ke

Editor-in-Chief Jeff Kinyanjui Staff Writers Fabian Odhiambo Terry Ouko Vincent Opiyo Zachary Oguda Contributors Samuel Gacharira Wazito FC Additional Photography SportPicha Maina Wambugu Design and Layout Faith Omudho Published By Soka Holdings Ltd

FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

D

ennis Oliech is a football legend in Kenya and I have always harbored this dream of his former Kenyan Internationals playing a testimonial match against a current Kenyan Premier League players select team, just to honour him for his contributions to Kenyan football.

This, sadly, remains to be just one of those weird dreams I have about the game I love so much. However at Soka, we dedicate the sixth issue of the magazine to him and you can read his inspiring story from page 5.

We also went to Kakamega to find out what is happening to the sleeping giants, Green Commandoes. Read about how they are silently plotting their comeback on page 56 as well as the one on one interview with Kenyan International Johanna Omolo on page 36.

Allan Wanga, the much travelled striker currently plying his trade locally with Tusker FC knows too well that football can be unforgiving and advices players to make hay while the sun shines. Read his story on page 72.

Printed By Tevins Investments Ltd Marketing Ms Quinter Odongo Email: quinter@soka.co.ke Mobile: +254 705 216 569

Enjoy the magazine and send editorial feedback to jeff@soka.co.ke

Admistration Patrick Korir Email: patrick@soka.co.ke Mobile: +254 700 123 366 Office Suite A5, Silverpool Office Suites, Jabavu Lane, P.O. BOX 50633 - 00100, Nairobi - Kenya Phone (254) 727 443 540 (254) 700 12 33 66

Editor-in -Chief Jeff Kinyanjui

Email info@soka.co.ke Online www.soka.co.ke

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE

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SOKAMAGAZINE VOL 1 | ISSUE 6 | 2017

CONTENTS

5

Dennis Oliech on turning down Man Utd

16

Kibera Black Stars profile

22

30

The silent rise of Western Stima’s Maurice Ojwang

36

The Big Interview with Johanna Omolo

46

Women Football: Profile

of Vivian & Sharon

56

The Green Commandoes Waiting for Daybreak

60

Star on the rise: John Macharia

64

70

72

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Sports Science: Next Gen Sports working hard to introduce scientific performance analysis in Kenya

Supersport exits Kenya in a rush...why?

Why the proposed Betting Control Bill should not be assented Allan Wanga on how to prepare for life after football

STAR ONOLIECH DENNIS THE RISE www.soka.co.ke STAR ON COVER STORY THE RISE

The story of Dennis Oliech’s football safari and exploits

K

By Samuel Gacharira nock! Knock! Knock!

It is a normal night at Mama Oliech’s residence in Dagoretti as her children huddle together in the tiny, dimly lit living room waiting for dinner to be served. Who could be knocking at their door at this time of the night? That question lingers around everybody’s mind but as soon as they simultaneously answer karibu, a bespectacled man clad in a plain white shirt, a faded pair of blue jeans and brown safari boots stands at the door.

A cocktail of excitement and shock grips the room as the white man slowly walks in. What a surprise! Bob Munro, the Mathare United chairman, is the late night visitor and accompanying him is his team manager Jack Oguda. The subject of his visit is a protracted trial at Manchester United for Dennis Oliech who was undoubtedly the hottest property in Kenyan football at that time.

The trial, which was to last for 2-3 weeks, was the aftermath of several months of contact between the Mathare United chairman and his close ally Manchester United Director, Sir Bobby Charlton.

Manchester United invite “I used to send monthly reports on the progress of Dennis to Sir Bobby Charlton and he was impressed by his growth. He then connected me with Sir Alex Ferguson who personally called me. We had an agreement that Dennis would travel to the UK in February 2003 for the trial,” recalls Munro.

"Oliech could have been up there with the likes of Didier Drogba had he taken the Manchester United offer. He was this raw talent with amazing power and lovely intuition in front of goal." - Bob Munro Surprisingly, Oliech rejected the offer and opted for a move to Qatar topflight club Al Arabi who had been in contact with him since December 2002 after he starred for the Kenya Under 23 team in two qualifying matches against their Egyptian counterparts for the 2004 All Africa Games.

Oliech is naturally born a fighter and he quickly endeared himself

in Qatar. In 2005, he attracted interest from French top-tier sides Monaco and Marseille with former offering Ksh 100M which was quickly rejected by Al Arabi.

“Oliech was the man of the match in both matches and many clubs became interested in signing him. His family was really poor at that time and I saw this as a life time opportunity to improve the living standards of his family. An official from Qatar (who Soka can now reveal was former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed bin Hamman) contacted me about his availability.

I met Oliech’s family and persuaded them to talk to Bob Munro about his release,” Hussein Swaleh, the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) Secretary General then, told Soka.

A transfer row ensued with Mathare United keen on holding on to Dennis but eventually Munro gave in to the demands of Oliech’s family. He issued the release letter that paved way for the infamous move to Al Arabi; something that Munro still considers a big mistake from Oliech.

“Oliech’s family asked me to help them negotiate the contract with Al Arabi but I declined because I felt it wasn’t right. Dennis could have been up there with the likes of Didier Drogba had he taken the Manchester United offer. He was this raw talent with amazing power and lovely intuition in front of goal. They could have fixed a few aspects of his game in two years and transform him to a top striker.

“I think he wasted two years in Qatar because Al Arabi had Gabriel Batistuta in their ranks and there is no way they were going to bench him for a Kenyan youngster. That was not the right move for him,” laments Munro with a concerned look on his face.

Interestingly Oliech, who had failed trials organized by Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) at Dutch top tier side NECNijmegen in July 2002, insists he made the right decision to move to Qatar and there is no bad blood between him and Munro.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE

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DENNIS OLIECH

“At that time I had a deal with Hussein Swaleh so I decided to take the first one that came my way. I have a lot of respect for Bob Munro because he has helped a lot of players in Kenya. I boarded a plane for the first time at the tender age of ten courtesy of him. Majority of the players from Kenya have passed through his hands. It did not matter where you came from Eastleigh, Kariobangi, Huruma or Mathare. Bob treated us equally and ensured we got the best football training,” said Oliech with a strong hint of appreciation.

DENNIS OLIECH FACT FILE DOB: Height:

2 Feb 1985 5 ft 11 1/2 in

CLUB CAREER SEASONS

TEAM

2001-2003

Mathare United

2003-2005

Al Arabi (Qatar)

2005-2007

Nantes (France)

2007-2012

Auxerre (France)

2013-2015

Ajaccio (France)

2015

Dubai CSC (Qatar)

His relationship with Munro and Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) stems back to 1995 where as a 10 year old he turned out for Sakayonsa in the Pumwani zone Under 12 league. His natural ability to score goals stood out from an early age and he made history by making it to the MYSA team that played in the Norway Cup for two consecutive years-1996 and 1997.

NATIONAL TEAM CAPS/GOALS Kenya U23: 4, 3 goals (% 0.75 per match) Kenya: 72, 34 goals (% 0.47 per match)

FIRST/LAST CAPS/SPAN Age First Cap:

17 yr 91 d 4- 5-2002 vs. Nigeria 0-3 (Coach Reinhardt Fabisch)

Age Last Cap:

30 yr 216 d 6- 9-2015 vs. Zambia 1-2 (Coach Bobby Williamson

National Team Career:

13 yr 125 d

First National Goal:

vs Togo at Kasarani on 7-9-2002 3-0. (Coach Jacob Ghost Mulee)

First (of five) brace(s):

vs Eritrea on 6-12-2002 4-1

Born a Winner

MOST MEMORABLE GOALS 1: Scored winning goal after a coast to coast burst that handed Kenya 2002 CECAFA challenge Cup final at the National Stadium, Dar on 14 Dec 2002. Kenya beat the hosts 3-2 2. His powerful rocket on the turn that floored Cape Verde at the Nyayo National Stadium on July 5, 2003 in the sixth and final qualifier

that sent Kenya to the 2004 AFCON, the first appearance in 12 years.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Team

Games

Goals

Auxerre

7

0

HARAMBEE STARS W-D-L Ratio Matches Won 72

30

Draw Lost 16

26

For

Against

95

74

Points 76

www.soka.co.ke COVER STORY

Percentage 52.78

“Dennis scored in almost every game at the Norway Cup. He was very strong on the ball and he always had this burning desire to score every time he stepped on the pitch. He was born a winner because his star started shining at a very tender age. You could easily tell that he was going to have a bright future,” underlines Leonard Saleh who was the overall coach in charge of all MYSA teams at both editions of the Norway Cup. Indeed Oliech lived up to the expectations of many and grew to become a deadly forward who combined his rare amalgam of terrific pace, crisp finishing and eye for goal to torment defenders at will.

He announced his arrival to the big stage in the 2002 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup where he emerged top scorer with five goals to his name.

His last goal in that competition ensured Kenya emerged 3-2 winners over hosts Tanzania in the final in the process avenging a 0-1 loss to the same opposition inthe opening Group

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A match. Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, the Harambee Stars coach then, reckons that Oliech’s attitude in the build up to that tournament was unrivalled and maintains that he is yet to coach a player as confident as Dennis.

“I was not surprised by his performance because Dennis always had the hunger to play. He wanted to score in every game and he always believed he had goals in him. I have never seen a player who believes in himself like Dennis. When we travelled to Nigeria for a friendly match, he kept on asking me if Taribo West will play because he wanted to take him on yet he was just a 17 year old then,” remembers Ghost who was Reinhardt Fabisch’s deputy when the German coach handed Oliech his debut against Nigeria on May 4 the same year.

Cape Verde goal

Cautious not to stall his development, Ghost preferred to deploy Oliech as a second half substitute in the 2004 Africa Cup

of Nations qualifying campaign and his decision was vindicated in the final qualifier against Cape Verde. Oliech, 18, steeped off the bench to score the unforgettable winner and guide Kenya to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Every coach has his game plan and I always wanted to win games in the second half because defenders were a bit jaded. I knew Dennis had speed so introducing him in the second half worked well. He really liked it.

“Against Cape Verde it was a do or die match. If we did not win we would not qualify and Ghost would just be another addition to the long list of coaches who have managed the National team. I also knew if I did not win that match the federation would not pay me my eight months’ salary.

“In the second half, the game was locked at 0-0 and I decided to play my last card. I told Dennis that this was his chance to show what he was made off and he repaid my trust with an unbelievable goal. That goal

8 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

earned him the name “The Menace” because he rarely missed chances,” recounts Ghost of the memorable goal that ensured he maintained his unbeaten record at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Players to watch

A bright prospect, it was no surprise when Oliech was named alongside Egypt’s Ahmed Hossam, South Africa’s Benni McCarthy, Tunisia’s Najeh Brahim, Nigeria’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Guinea’s Pascal Feindouno in January 2004 as the players to watch in the AFCON finals.

His performance in the 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the final group match, although eclipsed by Kenya’s early exit from the competition, offered a glimpse of what Oliech could offer at his destructive best.

The 18 year old prodigy set up Emmanuel Ake and John Baraza before bagging a goal of his own.

“The whole team started slowly but by the time we played the third game they had picked up

DENNIS OLIECH

www.soka.co.ke COVER STORY

OLIECH'S NATIONAL TEAM STATISTICS Type

Games

Goals

World Cup Qualifier

24

15

African Cup Qualifier

23

6

Friendlies

14

7

CECAFA Cup

6

5

African Nations Cup

3

1

Castle Cup

2

0

Total

72

34

COUNTRY/GOALS

his mother country was undoubted.

A true patriot, Oliech displayed his unwavering love for Kenya in late January 2004 when Qatar offered $ 6 Million in exchange for his citizenship but he stayed put and pledged his allegiance to Kenya.

Citizenship Switch

COACHES/GOALS

Country

Goals

Coaches

Goals

Angola

1

Jacob Ghost Mulee

18

Botswana

2

Mohammed Kheri

1

Burkina Faso

1

Bernard Lama

1

Burundi

1

Francis Kimanzi

7

Cape Verde

1

Twahir Muhidin

1

Eritrea

2

James Nandwa

2

Ghana

1

Zedekiah Otieno

2

Guinea

4

Henri Michel

1

Guinea Bissau

1

Antoine Hey

1

Libya

1

Malawi

1

Mauritania

1

Nigeria

1

Seychelles

3

South Africa

1

Sudan

2

Tanzania

4

Togo

1

Trinidad & Tobago

1

Tunisia

1

Uganda

1

Zimbabwe

1 34

very well. Unfortunately it was too late to proceed to the next stage. Dennis had made a name for himself and everybody wanted to see this exciting talent from Kenya. He was a young boy with impossible guts and he crowned it all with his good performance in the AFCON finals,” Ghost told Soka.

It was not long before Europe came calling for Kenya’s hottest property and Oliech signed for French Ligue

34

1 club Nantes in October 2005 before making the switch official in January 2006 bringing to an end his two year stay at Al Arabi.

KFF Row

Here, Oliech’s star began to shine and he became the center of attraction at Harambee Stars whenever he was called up for National team duty. Now a celebrity of sorts, Oliech rubbed shoulders the wrong way with federation officials when he refused to board a plane to Guinea for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June 2005 over unpaid dues ($1700).

“In Europe there are no delays in payment. The club makes sure you get your money in time. We had a problem with payment at the National team because the federation kept on giving us false promises. I was not refunded my air ticket twice and that is why I refused to go for that match. I could no longer take their excuses,” explains Oliech.

Despite the numerous challenges at the National team, Oliech’s loyalty to

“I am a Kenyan and I am proud to be one. I was young at that time but there is no way I could change my citizenship. Football is not all about money. It is about playing with passion for your country. I have seen some of our Kenyan athletes being denied their freedom when they change their citizenship because their passports are confiscated such that they cannot even travel yet they have a lot of money. I have no regrets at all about that decision,” remarked the father of two, Miguel and Joseph.

As he rose through the ranks to cement his place as the alpha striker at Harambee Stars, Oliech’s stock in Europe was also on an upward trajectory and he switched clubs in France following the relegation of Nantes to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2007 season. Initially loaned out to topflight side, AJ Auxerre, Oliech proved his worth at his new home chalking up 26 appearances and netting thrice in his first season to earn himself a permanent move.

AJ Auxerre Move In his second season at Auxerre, Oliech grew into a first team regular with head coach Jean Fernandez preferring to field him on the right side of his attacking triumvirate. The Kenyan skipper still delivered goals and assists alike completing the next two seasons with a combined tally of 8 goals in 66 appearances.

His heroics aided AJ Auxerre to a third place finish in the 2009/10 campaign and a shot at the Europe’s premier club competition-the prestigious UEFA Champions League—in the following season.

Despite losing by a solitary goal to Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, Auxerre overcame the one goal deficit to win 2-0 at home and emerge 2-1 winners on aggregate in the

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DENNIS OLIECH

two-legged play-off in the process booking a place in Group G alongside AC Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax.

Unfortunately AJ Auxerre bowed out at the preliminaries after winning only one match, the 2-1 home victory over Ajax on November 3 2010, but Oliech still ranks the Champions League experience highly in his entire club career.

Best Experience

“Oliech is a real gentleman. He hosted me at his place during the trials and gave me everything I needed. The trials went on smoothly because the club was very impressed by me just like Oliech had recommended.

Unfortunately the team was going through some financial challenges and could not add another foreigner to their ranks therefore I was not signed,” said Monday who now features for Kariobangi Sharks in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

grounds. However there is no love lost between him and Amrouche who he describes as a special coach.

“As a captain I have to be the leader of the team. If things are not in order then I have to talk about it. We had some issues in the team but finally we solved them. Adel is one of the best coaches Kenya has had. He is a good coach and he is more like a father to his players. He normally has that personal connection with his players and he really helped Kenyan players by taking them abroad. I think he can do more if he comes back to Kenya,” pointed out the alltime Harambee Stars top scorer.

“We really worked hard in that season His rise to a revered forward in to finish inside the Champions France earned him the armband at League positions. It was a good Harambee Stars where he was now feeling playing in the Champions looked upon to provide guidance League for the first time in my alongside Macdonald Mariga career. This was one of my best Looking back at his career that to the upcoming youngsters. experiences in football because saw him turn out for AJ Ajaccio in every player wants to play against the big players and big clubs.

The Champions League offers “The best player I have seen in Kenya is Marcelo (Erick Ouma). I tried to talk this chance and it was a dream to him so that I could connect him with my agent and take him to Europe but come true,” pointed out Oliech. it was too late. However I am happy that he left Kenya quickly because he While playing in the Champions League provided a sense of is the best fullback I have seen in Kenya in a long time.”- Dennis Oliech perspective for Oliech, the real uplift from that experience his twilight years before finally was the fact that Jean Fernandez’ Captain Fantastic hanging his boots at international charges had endeared themselves level in 2016, Oliech laments over not only to the AJ Auxerre faithful but “Oliech was a phenomenal because Kenya’s limited appearances at also the club’s hierarchy. So strong he always led the team from the the Africa Cup of Nations during was their influence that Oliech, who front. After turning professional most his era at the National team. was a key member of Fernandez’ players looked up to him and you side, successfully convinced the could see that he commanded respect Few Professional Players technical bench to hand three from the team. I salute him because “I was lucky I did not suffer too Kenyan players--Osborne Monday, he was a natural leader,” offers Ghost many injuries during my career but Kevin Kamduu Kimani and Thomas who gave the go ahead for the I was disappointed that Kenya only Heskey Wanyama—a trial at Auxerre. captaincy change from Robert Mambo qualified for the AFCON finals only to Oliech in his second stint as the once during my time.

If you look Giving back National team head coach in 2010. at my age-mates from countries “He played a big role during the like Ghana they have done like entire period of our trials. While the “Whenever Oliech was not in the four or five. We did not have many other players who were on trials were team there was a lot of tension professional players to help us hosted at the club house, he hosted in the team because he was our qualify for such tournaments. us in his own house. At home he used main man. When he started there to advise us on what the coaches was a lot of confidence because “The problem with Kenya is that wanted from us and often gave us he made it easier for us. We would we only have two or four players useful tips about his philosophy. just give the ball to him and he who we can talk about. Almost 90% He even went out of his way to ask would do his thing,” emphasized of our National team should be the coaching staff to bear with us Monday who played alongside comprised of professional players. It because we were in a completely Oliech in the National team. does not matter which league you new environment and needed more are playing in. It is a big concern time to adapt. He was very influential that we have the same problem because the coaches heeded his His tenure as the Harambee Stars because we do not have the right advice and even extended our trial skipper was unceremoniously cut structures to feed our national period by two weeks,” revealed short in 2013 when Algerian born team,” regrets Oliech who singled Heskey who attended the month-long tactician Adel Amrouche stripped out Guinea’s Bobo Balde as the trials alongside Kimani back in 2011. him off the captaincy on disciplinary

10 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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toughest defender he played against.

As he juggles his post-retirement time between managing his family’s businesses and being the Betway brand ambassador, Oliech is silently exploring the option of taking up an elective post in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as a way of giving back to the Kenyan game.

Post Retirement “At the moment I am happy to be at Betway because they are appreciating what I have done for Kenya. The transition has not been easy but I have people who have been supporting me through it.

“My dream is to be part of the federation in future. It is really sad that our football standards are so low. We are not recognized in the world as far as football is concerned.

I want to be in the federation so that I can help Kenyan football and assist in doing the ground work either as a coach or technical director. I want to put the experience I have gathered in Europe into good use.

“Our league has to be professional and players start earning good money.

We also have to focus on setting up structures. I hope the club licensing started a few years ago because now we would be somewhere. Our management has really failed us because you cannot compare us with a country like Zambia who have made big strides,” observed Oliech.

Oliech’s record, 72 caps and 34 international goals, is certainly a legacy to be envied by many upcoming players and the 32 year old sees a lot of promise in Guizhou Zhicheng forward Michael Olunga who is already showing signs of taking over the goal getting duties at Harambee Stars if his current tally—10 goals in 25 caps—is anything to go by.

Promising Olunga

“At age of 17, 18 or 19 you have to leave Kenya or else you will end up playing here forever. When you are in top form you have to go abroad.

For instance you cannot compare Olunga with Dan Sserunkuma who

"I have never seen a player who believes in himself like Oliech. When we travelled to Nigeria for a friendly match, he kept on asking me if Taribo West would play because he wanted to take him on yet he was just a 17 year old then."

- Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee

is the player to watch in future.

“The best player I have seen in Kenya is Marcelo. I tried to talk to him so that I could connect him with my agent and take him to Europe but it was too late. However I am happy that he left Kenya quickly because he is the best fullback I have seen in Kenya in a long time,” offered Oliech as he expressed his admiration for the 20 year old currently attached to Georgian top tier club Kolkheti Poti.

opted to remain here in Kenya after doing well in the local league.

“Football is interesting because you never know where it will take you.

Olunga is young and still has time.

The most important thing is that he has to keep working hard. As long as Olunga is playing football then it is perfect for him. You never know he can even move to the (English) Premier League after only two months,” explained Oliech.

In a complete departure from Oliech’s position, Ghost--who coincidentally worked with both strikers at a tender age--believes that it will take time before Olunga matches Oliech’s success.

“Both of them have different qualities.

Olunga is not as fast as Dennis but he offers something extra because he can score from the left, right and also using his head. He has the eye for goal just like Dennis but it is still early to compare them. Olunga has a lot to do before he reaches Dennis ability,” advised the Liberty Professionals Academy Director.

Eric Marcelo Ouma

While Olunga’s performances for Harambee Stars have left his name on the lips of many local football enthusiasts just like his predecessor over a decade ago, Oliech—in his parting shot--insists that former Gor Mahia left back Eric Marcelo Ouma

Dennis Oliech now works as a Brand Ambassador for Betway

Follow Samuel Gacharira on Twitter: @SamuelGacharira

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DENNIS OLIECH

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“At age of 17, 18 or 19 you have to leave Kenya or else you will end up playing here forever. When you are in top form you have to go abroad.

For instance you cannot compare Olunga with Dan Sserunkuma who opted to remain here in Kenya after doing well in the local league."

Photo Courtesy of Sport24

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CLUB PROFILE

KIBERA BLACK STARS

16 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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Name: Kibera Black Stars Football Club Founded: 1980s Trophies:

Kiko cup is 1997 and 2002 champs National Div One champs 2016

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KIBERA BLACK STARS

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KIBERA B L A C K S TA R S ' slow but sure rise from the ashes

L

By Vincent Opiyo ittle known Kibera Black Stars currently stands out as the only team to have gained promotion for three consecutive years in Kenya from the Fifth Division in 2013 all the way to their current National Super League (NSL) status, the country’s second tier. It’s a team that was on its deathbed before something good happened at the close of 2013.

While at the Nairobi Provincial League (NPL) back then, Black Stars was struggling to raise enough players for a fixture and fetch means of transport to match venues - surprisingly as this were games within Nairobi, but still they couldn’t make it to all matches.

Help from unlikely source

It’s a team that really suffered the challenges any community club would face till Frenchman Luc Lagouche came along.

The French teacher at Yaya within the periphery of Nairobi became the team’s savior and he couldn’t have come at the right time as the team was struggling to survive relegation. His presence, he says was attracted by one of the team’s fans, Victor Oriedo AKA Oriedoman on a day he was making visits in one of the second biggest slum in Africa after South Africa’s Soweto.

"I want to change the lives not only of players but their families and fans as well." ~Frenchman Luc Lagouche

“I have two passions, education and sports and my house is close to Kibera so when I heard about the slum and being a football lover, I wanted to get involved. I met Oriedo who took me to Black Stars, we discussed about my ambitions and some of my achievements I had had while working in Nigeria.

I managed to take a team (Buffalo FC) from the Amateur Division Three to the Nigerian Premier League. So I saw a similar thing in Black Stars.

Lagouche began his football career as a player with AC Cambrai in the north of France where his father was coach, at the age of six and played until he was 20. He then coached U10, U13, U15 and other younger teams in the club. Buffalo FC, a team he served for almost a MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE

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CLUB PROFILE

KIBERA BLACK STARS

decade was elected the best club of the year in Kano in 2002 and the best amateur team in Nigeria in 2003.

It’s the same achievements that has driven him to throw his shilling in to a financially crippled Black Stars.

“I want to change the lives of not only players but their families and fans as well. My first target is to try change this through sports.

Financially we are struggling at the moment but since I came on board I appreciate the corporates working with us. Safaricom has been with us for three years and recently French company Sanofi came on board to fight use of fake medicines through our brand. Some companies have also expressed interest but we have to attract them by posting good results.

an U20 championship not always depending on spent cartridges. What I am doing in Black Stars is give the youth opportunities to play at a high level. Our focus is on young players.”

“As a community club, we face many problems; we are the only team with players playing without salaries, only depend on training allowances and match bonuses and that’s why I am trying to spend my little money to change the situation even as I appeal on more corporates to invest in sports. Gaining three successive promotions is not a cup of tea, now the NSL level is difficult for us but soon we want to be in the KPL. This is something I told them the first I day I came to Kibera.

We have been on the right step, we are just one away,” he said.

“For now we are supporting the team through our own pockets but in future we have lined up income

“Our main target is to get promoted to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and represent the country continentally in the next three years,” he adds.

The team’s offices are based at Kibera 42. Peter Njora Gachanga is one of the long serving officials at the club, founded in the 1980s, and in his capacity as the chairman admits how difficult the journey has been but says plans are afoot to ensure the team becomes self-reliable.

He does not only want to see Black Stars record success on the pitch but also outside hence taking players through French language lessons at Alliance Francaise.

He also plans to take players through professional trainings.

“Football is a fragile sport. I keep telling the boys that when you have education, you are safe. We have introduced French classes and will be taking some through professional training in banking and insurance that can help them in future,” noted Luc whose other motive is develop young players.

“Kenya lacks effective youth programs. It’s very important to give young players the opportunity to develop. We should at least have

20 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

generating projects. Very soon we shall launch our primary source of funds to drive the team’s success. We have also introduced membership cards retailing at Kshs. 200, 500 or 1000, all for supporting the team.

We do have club merchandise that goes for Kshs. 1,600. These are mostly all-round T-shirts.

“We also have a feeder team, Slum Soka founded by our coach Solo (Godfrey Oduor), these are kids in the age of U10, 12, 14 and 17 who on match days are our ball boys but do have their training programmes and this are some of the plans to get self-sustainable for the academy will be our feeder team,” stated Njora.

Being a community club, the team on monthly basis conducts Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within the slums, “we mostly visit Children’s homes and other organizations to extend our kind heart and as a way of giving back,” concluded Njora.

With the coming of ‘saviour’ Lagouche and projects lined up, Sylvester Ochieng’ one of the team’s veteran players opines that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and as players, all they now want is fight on the pitch.

“I have been at Black Stars for many years. We have gone through challenges, mostly financial but since Luc came on board, he motivated us to give our best as he does his part.

We are for sure heading somewhere, we want to stay in the second tier and in future earn promotion to the top flight. The likes of Jesse Were who were here are now progressing in their careers and it give us hope that nothing is impossible.”

For Ronald Reagan Okello, the team’s top striker, he just wants to do his work of scoring goals, “the NSL is difficult compared to the lower tiers, the teams here are tough but even with those circumstances, I have managed to enjoy my scoring touch which I want to keep for the entire season,” the former KEMRI FC forward – who scored a total 26 goals in the lower tier said.

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Apart from Reagan, youthful Michael Shawn Odhiambo is another promising player in the team.

Fresh from completing his O-level studies at Olympic High School in 2016, Shawn joined the side as a launching pad to his career success.

“It’s an achievement joining a second tier club from school. I hope I will keep performing so that I can attract interest from other clubs or help this team gain promotion.

As a midfielder, I want to record as many assists as possible and probably be the best midfielder in the league,” states the youngster who is greatly inspired by Tusker and Kenya midfielder Humphrey Mieno The team’s Head Coach Godfrey Oduor fondly known as Solo harbors promotion hopes as well with a team he jointly founded in the 1980s, “realistically we want to stay in the league and work our way to the top. This is a team that we have played for from our tender age before going for pro stints,” “I remember one of the former players Walter Otieno suggesting we change the team’s name from Silver Strikers FC to Black Stars then handed former coach Eric (Ouma) the team because we had been held up by club duties. Under the chairmanship of Tony Sime, it was registered in the fifth division in 2005. Sime left and Njora took over the chairmanship around the same 2005. From then it was a struggle each and every year to rise but finally we managed it.

I am happy that I did it as a coach and hope to see the dream realized,” Oduor (40), who had stints at KCB FC, Tusker FC, Agrochemicals and in Rwanda playing as a midfielder said.

Black Stars trains at Rowallan Scouts Camp in Jamhuri, Nairobi and host their home matches at Camp Toyoyo grounds.

Follow Vincent Opiyo on Twitter: @vincentsopiyo

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PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

NEXT GENERATION

NEXT GENERATIO N INTRO DU CES SCIENTIF I C SPO RTS ANALYSIS IN KENYA

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By Patrick Korir wo youung lads, a former swimmer Edwin Kiptolo Boit and footballer Bonaventure Wanda have set base to move Kenya from the old ways of training to a more scientific oriented method.

This will cut across all sports, football as a discipline included.

The two are now the brains behind Next Generations Sports, a forerunner of Performance analysis in Sports, not only in Kenya, but across Africa.

Boit an all rounded sport man who participated in football, basketball, athletics and swimming team while in High School at the Aga Khan Academy says he realized practice for the respective sports could have been better had there been archived measures to them.

Boit, who is pursuing his PhD in Sports and exercise Science while lecturing at the same institution, all at the tender age of 25, says his passion for sports lead him to take to the direction of studying sports intensively at a high level.

In November of 2008 Bonaventure Wanda, who had just concluded his Secondary education at St. Nicholas, took to the skies for trials at Czech Republic’s second tier side FK Banik Most.

Wanda, accompanied by former World Hope defender Eugene Asike and midfielder Ken Yumoto Ondiege of AC Nakuru attended two week trials at the club but returned unsuccessful and their dream to join Patrick Oboya and Morris Odhiambo hit a brick wall.

Three years after that trip, he was

22 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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gone from the game even before he blossomed. In that period he had a stint at AC Nakuru – which led to a loan spell at Ligi Ndogo and later on he trained with Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka. Not making it in the field guided his entry to the Bussiness of Sports later in life.

Towards the close of 2011, the then 20 year old benched the game, for class. He went for books at USIU and right after attended the University of Real Madrid to pursue a Masters in Sports Medicine.

NextGen use the most advanced GPS monitoring systems to effectively collect athlete training and match performance related data, and analyze the data using our Microsoft cloud powered analytic tools in order to get accurate information about athletes that can then be used by coaches, managers, teams, and players themselves to make informed decisions with regards to players’ performance, health status, and injury risks.

Our vision is to create a paradigm shift in the sports industry through a new approach of optimizing sports performance. The first step we will take to create this shift will be to create awareness of the importance of sports science through our activities. Next Generation sports will instigate change through its pioneering practice of sports performance analysis that will change the whole landscape in the sports industry.

Why that direction for two young athletes who are still in the right age to excel in their discipline of choice?

“We got very frustrated and demoralized due to local practices.

We also realized that coaches and sporting organizations are practicing very archaic methods of training where there is no measurable outcome or scientific approach to training and that is why we are not performing well at international levels. So our company’s main focus is to rectify this,” said Kiptolo who

graced the corridors of University of Western Cape to pursue BSc in Sports Science and Medical Bioscience for his first undergraduate badge.

Kiptolo who completed his post grad with an MSc Sports Medicine and Health Sciences went on to add; “Our first phase is to introduce GPS technology to monitor performance (biometric, physical and physiological data). Then from there move on to video analysis, fitness testing, biomechanics and later develop into a fully-fledged sports science institute.”

“A stint at Nakuru All Stars football team, coupled with a memorable

Next Generation Sports is a forerunner of Performance Analysis in sports, not only in Kenya, but across Africa trial at FK Banik Most in the Czech Republic and a period of training with Sofapaka and Nairobi city stars was enough to ensure that I followed a career in the business of sport,” said Wanda “My experience as an athlete who couldn’t get an avenue where I could improve my physical capability in a precise and scientific way pushed me to start Next Generation Sports.

My experience studying and learning alongside the best sports team in the world, Real Madrid put me in a position that one can only dream of.”

“I was able to witness exactly how powerful the fusion of science in sport is, the ability to optimize athletic performance and reduce injury risk with precision are cornerstones of creating the ultimate athlete. Next Generation Sports brings a pioneering practice to the Kenyan sports industry that will most certainly create a big shift.” Added Wanda who worked as Sports Administrator

at worked as a Wadi Degla and Arsenal soccer school in 2016.

Wanda and Kiptolo, who after high school settled for swimming to become a member of the UWC high performance swimming team and a member of the Kenyan National team sum up their motivation behind Next Generation sports in three pointers: Athletic insight: They state the importance of data and the ability to measure is the only way sports performance in Kenya can leap to an international level. With the onset of data on players, teams, injuries and playing patterns the sports industry can call on this information to diagnose why Kenyan sport is lagging and what can be done to improve it.

Athletic database-the sports industry in Kenya needs an athletic database in which elite athletes from all sports can have their information from an early age tracked, stored and updated. Data such as injuries, number of competitions played etc. could prove to be vital for the federations, national teams and local clubs in selecting and developing athletes with outstanding physical capabilities, this in turn could allow Kenya to better perform in international competitions.

Injury minimization-the biggest teams in the world are now using GPS technology to generate data that could help them better detect the onset of injuries and minimize their occurrence. Been in a third world country most of our athletes have their careers prematurely ended due to the lack of specialized sports specific rehabilitation and lack of money to visit the countrys’ top medical facilities for treatment of their injuries.

The best way to deal with this is to ensure professional athletes are at their level best in terms of fitness and to be able to use the data our technology generates to try and predict and minimize the onset of injuries.

Will Next Generation Sports will create a big shift in the Sub

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PERFOMANCE ANAYLYSIS

NEXT GENERATION

Saharan sports industry? Wanda and Kiptolo say yes it can, and will.

Sports performance analysis is not just about fitting players with GPS systems and collecting key metrics such as distance covered and sprint speed. The analysis stage is where the core of the process occurs.

NextGens’ expertise and technical know-how are second to none, currently backed with our powerful advanced analytic tools we are able to turn information into insights that for long have been invisible.

Intuition often drives players’ decisions now NextGens’ cloud powered analysis will tell athletes exactly what they need to do in terms of optimizing their performance.

We also realized that coaches and sporting organizations are practicing very archaic methods of training where there is no measurable outcome or scientific approach to training and that is why we are not performing well at international levels. So our company’s main focus is to rectify this,” ~ Kiptolo Boit

Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

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STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke STAR ON THE RISE

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

JAMES ORUNDU

Orundu’s journey to make a mark in football derailed, but he’s back to give it one more try

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By Zachary Oguda

he year is 2010 and the national Under 20 team is gearing up for an African Cup of Nations qualifiers match against Lesotho.

The talents at coach Vince Ombiji’s disposal are to die for with the future of the nation’s football looking bright going by the type of the young players called to camp.

The lot has speedy winger Paul Were, now a regular at the national team set up, David Kingatua, now in Sweden, Zesco United’s Anthony Akumu, Victor Majid, Elli Asieche, Adbdimalik Mohammed, Anthony Mbugua, Lucas Indeche, and one James Orundu, among others. James was then representing Kenyan Premier League giants AFC Leopards as a young 19 year old.

“To be sincere the lot was the future of the nation’s football and you can see it for yourself. Most of the lads in the group are either playing professional football or in established clubs in the KPL,” Orundu remarks in this interview that intends to reveal how he still finds himself in the nation’s second tier league, the National Super League (NSL), six years after a two year contract at Belgium’s top tier side Germinal Beerschot was waiting for his signature.

He made Ombiji’s squad for the return game in Lesotho where Kenya drew 0-0 but were bundled out 1-0 on aggregate. A month later he had moved up to the national team where he made Jacob Mulee’s provisional squad for a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda.

Early Years

Born in Seme in the outskirts of Kisumu County 26 years ago, James Orundu spent his early life in Eastleigh Nairobi where he attended primary school before moving back to Kisumu for his secondary school education.

After the demise of his parents, an occurrence he terms as the first blow in his footballing career, he was to find solace in a family friend who had helped him shift schools from Ngere High School in Seme to Nairobi’s Laiser Hill in Kajiado.

“Death of my parents was a massive blow as they were the people I knew and depended on from childhood.

Their passing away dampened my spirits but to help me move on, a family friend helped me shift schools to Laiser Hill Academy in what was to be the first step into my football career,” Orundu remarks.

Going by the list of his classmates

"He is one of the best midfielders I have ever played with and I always go to him for advice regarding the game." ~ Zak Matasi

26 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

during his time in Laiser Hill, it was no surprise that they were the first group to send their school to the National School Ball Games in 2009.

The team had his current team mate at FC Talanta, Eric Kapaito, Ulinzi Stars Elvis Nandwa, Thika United’s Zak Matasi and it was no surprise to Orundu that they managed a feat that no lot in the previous teams had.

“He (Orundu) would do things that we only imagined of. He is one who trained the same way he played.

The tricks he pulled in training are the same he applied in games and in our lot we banked on him to down opponents. He is one of the best midfielders I have ever seen around and he’s someone I can say is a brother to me because I go to him for guidance since he is more experienced than I am. I remember back then when he was playing for Sofapaka I used to join him for training in the morning. I have learnt a lot from him and am happy to see him back in competitive football,” Matasi notes of Orundu.

Orundu’s heroics at Laiser Hill landed him a slot at the famous JMJ Academy after school and this is the place he met the current AFC Leopards captain Bernard Mangoli. The duo were all combative midfielders but Orundu, says the head of the institution r. Jean Marie Abeels, had found a perfect way to play them together.

“Obviously we played the same role in the team with Mangoli but we still played together. With him by my side, I would forge forward because I believed there was someone by my side to provide cover. In Kenya he is one player I rate because I have seen him play and have also played alongside him,” Orundu opines.

The duo’s combination at JMJ did not go unnoticed and a year later, they were loaned to AFC Leopards, alongside Samuel Mwangi, Peter Mwangi, Omari Masika, Daniel Adhoch, Wafula Barasa, Milton Milimo, Amani Onyango and Douglas Odhiambo for a year.

They were to be later recalled after

STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke STAR ON THE RISE

“It was a terrible time for me watching my former team-mates make strides in football and I had not made any major step."

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PLAYER SPORTLIGHT

JAMES ORUNDU

the end of their loan deal with Orundu inking a three year deal with Sofapaka at the onset of the 2011 season. He joined the club alongside John Njoroge, Dodo Kayombo, Titus Mulama, Elly Asieche, Collins Omogo and Abdulatif Omar.

Unfortunately, his contract was terminated 11 months later due to reasons Orundu says he could not explain. His time at the club, as he summed it, “was a nightmare”.

In joining Sofapaka, Orundu missed an opportunity of a lifetime as JMJ Academy had brokered a two year contract with one of Belgium’s top tier sides, Germinal Beerschot (now Beerschot AC) following trials at the club earlier on.

“It’s during my time at AFC Leopards that I was handed a call to the national Under 20 team for the AFCON Under 20 Qualifiers and we did well although we did not progress to the latter stages. Joining Sofapaka was instigated by a lot of things.

By then the team was stable and although they did change coaches, I have to thank coach Christopher Makhoha (RIP) for believing in me

James Orundu in his days at AFC Leopards behind his stalled move to Germinal Beerschot, recalled him as he said Orundu “had potential and a great future.”

However, after the unforgettable spell with Sofapaka, Orundu sidestepped JMJ Academy to join Posta Rangers and Sony Sugar in a span of a year but was undone by what he later realized was an abdominal pain that

I had an abdominal infection and needed an operation. I have to thank Zico because despite knowing my condition he roped me to Sony and they catered for my operation. I was their player during that time but soon thereafter a new management team took over and terminated my contract and I had to start club hunting all over again,” a Orundu says.

Scans revealed that I had an abdominal infection and needed an operation.

I have to thank Zico because despite knowing my condition he roped me to Sony and they catered for my operation. I was their player during that time but soon thereafter a new management team took over and terminated my contract and I had to start club hunting all over again,” Orundu says. and giving me the first taste of KPL football. I had a fantastic period with coach Ezekiel Akwana who believed in the youth as well as Francis Kimanzi but I had to leave after the club terminated my contract under unclear reasons. You know how Kenyan teams do their things,” he says with a smile.

Upon his release from Sofapaka, JMJ Academy wanted him back and one person who believed much in him,cofounder Carlo Vandekerkho, who was

needed a major operation.

“I had been having running stomach pains for quite some time and vomited most of the time with hospitals visits indicating I had malaria but it was Zedekiah Otieno (the current Gor Mahia assistant coach) then at Sony, who looked for me in one of the games when our Posta met his Sony side and advised that I go for a scan.

“Then came the news that I did not want to hear. Scans revealed that

28 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

Orundu was to land in Bandari in 2015 for a period of six months in a bid to revive his career after a long layoff but things were just not ticking for him and after his six months stay with the Dockers, he called it quits from football.

“It was a terrible time for me watching my former team mates make strides in football and I had not made any major step. It dawned on me that maybe football wasn’t for me and after my stint with Bandari elapsed, I hang my boots. No

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one would convince me otherwise, nothing mattered to me at that time and I decided to go back to Eastleigh with the aim of passing my skills to the upcoming generation but I found it was harder than I thought. Things were not just going the way I wanted them to,” Orundu states.

A year elapsed without Orundu being involved in active football but he decided to make one last try in the game he loved most.

“I trained with kids from my neighborhood for a period of one year but everything was just not falling in place. It was a moment of self reflection and I made up my mind to rise again.

Kariobangi Sharks was to give me a lee way back into football early in 2016 and I seized the chance, I am proud to say I played a part that saw them climb to the KPL. I joined FC Talanta in June 2016 and I believe this is just a start of better things to come,” Orundu notes.

Two of his former coaches have put in respectable words for the returning player who, in retrospect to his former form, firmly believes all is not lost.

though pointing out that he lost time while sick, reckons he will come good with a bit of focus.

“He is a very good player who can really help a team. He is of good character and is cool minded. There is a period that he fell sick and that derailed his progress,” “But now that he is back he needs to have courage and he will certainly catch up. He should not be demoralized in anyway,” said the current Deputy Technical Director at Football Kenya Federation.

Shaban Abdalla who handled a horde of budding players at JMJ Academy, Orundu included said, “Orundu was a good player, one who turned up for his team at all times. He was a hard worker on the pitch and that is why he achieved what he did then,” “I understand injury ate up his prime football time but from what I have seen of him recently he has what it takes to shine again. At Talanta he is at the right place and under a very good coach (John Kamau) who can get the best out of him once again.

His second chance is here and he should go for it.”

“He is a very good player who can really help a team. He is of good character and is cool minded.

His former coach at Sharks, Mike Amenga, a former Kenya U23 coach,

ORUNDU FACT FILE: DOB: School: Football Career:

4 Dec 1991 Ngere High School, Laiser Hill School 2010: JMJ Academy/AFC Leopards 2011: Sofapaka 2012: Posta Rangers/SoNY Sugar 2015: Kariobangi Sharks 2015 June to date: FC Talanta

Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

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STAR ON THE RISE

STAR ON THE RISE

30 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

NAME:

Maurice Owino Ojwang

NICKNAME:

Father

DOB:

Sept 7th, 1996

POSITION:

Central Defense

CLUB:

Western Stima FC

FORMER CLUBS:

Pro 16 (Nyalenda), Bondo United

MAURICE OJWANG'

www.soka.co.ke INTERVIEW

Pools of Talent

No Longer a Prospect; The Silent Rise of

Maurice Ojwang’

By Fabian Odhiambo

‘’What few people don’t understand is that there is a vast pool of talented players in the lower divisions of Kenyan football,” George Ondula

C

onventionally, in the lower tiers of football- anywhere in the world- to attribute a lack of progress on the continued loss of good players to the higher echelons of any given country’s football leagues will always be taken in as a good enough excuse from a coach.

George Ondula, however, is not in that set of coaches. He wants to see his players get fresher challenges, so losing Maurice Ojwang to Kenyan Premier League side Western Stima FC midway through the 2015 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division 1 campaign was one that ushered in mixed feelings for him and Bondo United Football Club to a great extent.

He doesn’t deny the existence of gaping inadequacies that set in on his team soon after the departure of a good player; he just doesn’t believe it’s the end of the world. For Maurice Ojwang especially, coach Ondula sees tremendous promise and wishes the 20 year old well as he cements his place among the very few but indispensable utility players in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

‘What few people don’t understand is that there is a vast pool of talented players in the lower divisions of Kenyan football. It’s an area that has only been seen as a churner of very few and spontaneous talents. They are here in plenty, and the more they leave to the higher tiers the better for others who rarely get a chance. So for me, it’s a win whenever two or three leave for sterner challenges,’’ says Ondula who himself was a beneficiary of a properly set-up youth structure.

Alongside the late former Kisumu Posta midfielder Dick Anyanga and former AFC Leopards striker Wilberforce Mulamba, Ondula and a few others were roped into Bernard Zgoll’s youth programs briefly after the German tactician’s arrival in Kenya in 1972.

It may be only his second year in the KPL but whenever the story of Ojwang is written, it should be noted-at least for anyone who cares- that the robust 5’6’’ lad is a championship material.

Twice he saw Bondo United scale up the ladder of the Kenyan tiers of football, and once he stood tall for Western Stima’s under 19 squad in 2013 as the Hesbon Nyabinge coached side flogged Tusker four goals to nil to dethrone Thika United, winners of the cup two years prior.

Nyabinge’s assembly before the tournament began obviously was meant for the 2013 champions’ accolade.

From Gabriel Andika (AFC Leopards) in goal, to Eric Ouma (FC Kolkheti Poti - Georgia), Vitalis Akumu (Western Stima) and Ojwang himself in defense, it really was the dream backline.

In the midfield, coach Nyabinge had the leadership of Billy Agai (Palos) and Harun Nyakha (AFC Leopards) to rely on whereas the final third comprised the variety of Wekesa Alfred (AFC Leopards), Baron Oketch (Ulinzi Stars), Kevin Okoth (Stima) and Laban Gambareko (Chemelil Sugar).

Ojwang played in all the six tournament matches but the

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INTERVIEW

MAURICE OJWANG’

clean sheet at the tourney’s final clash elates him more than the rest. He admits though, that Mathare United in the semi-final was a lucky escape.

Having trailed an Eric-Johanna led Mathare side till the dying minutes of the game, Stima’s junior side needed a late Billy Agai penalty to take the match into penalty shoot-outs. The rest- not as they say though, is a tale better told by Gabriel Andika who repelled Mathare’s two penalty kicks and saw Stima into the final.

Versatile Player ‘It was my first real footballing experience outside of Kisumu, so to come back with a national title was monumental for all of us,’ says Ojwang, just minutes after seeing his name among the latest Harambee Stars call-ups by Coach Stanley Okumbi.

“I was in school at the time, but not like many of my teammates who schooled in traditional footballing giants around the country. In my school in fact, we would go to class on Sundays,’’ continues the Kisumu South Adventist Secondary School alumnus.

Coach George Ondula first saw a traditional libero when Pro

‘It was my first real footballing experience outside Kisumu, so to come back with a national title was monumental for all of us,’ Maurice Ojwang'

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Friends turned opponents: Ojwang' keeps his former teammate Kenneth Muguna, now at Gor Mahia, in check 16 football club visited Bondo United for a friendly match back in 2013.

That’s the same role Ojwang would play for his team when he agreed to switch from the non-league side to Bondo- at the time already in the district league.

Ojwang at Stima- senior team debut as just two years before, he had worn the junior team shirt. How he makes a second coming to Stima isn’t much different from how he joined Bondo from Pro 16 FC.

him play in the midfield. Stima fell 0-2 to their visitors, both goals netted after Ojwang’s withdrawal. The next time he showed up, he stood beside Captain Joash Onyango in defensean idol and father figure to him.

‘’Maurice can virtually play in any position. I’ve even used him as a wingback before,’’ Ondula chuckles.

‘It may be different where he is now (Stima) but that’s because every team has their own systems of play.

Personally, I preferred having him in the libero position, he attacks from the back. Our two successive promotions from District to Provincial and later on to the Nationwide league were performances by the team that showed just how good we were, and the quality therein. Ojwang was an outstanding player for us,’’ concludes Ondula who at the moment offers his coaching experience to Manyatta Youth Resource Centre.

Henry Omino had had a tough day cracking Bondo United’s defense in a friendly match and with the final whistle, made it clear that he was ready to offer Ojwang a Premier League chance. Bondo had only one condition, that Ojwang be allowed to play one last division 1 league match, and the rivals; a fast-rising Palos FC side.

‘’I never thought I could learn so much from just one person. Playing alongside Joash built confidence in me. He was the leader in the team, and led from the back,’’ Ojwang holds his regard high for his former captain who has since joined Gor Mahia FC.

August 1st 2015 was debut day for

Of course after two years of service he wasn’t going to let anything blemish his record at Bondo, and Palos fell 0-1 as Bondo dispatched them from second on the log. All paperwork done, Ojwang had his bow against a red-hot SoNy Sugar FC who had just dismissed AFC Leopards in Awendo.

This is the last time those who follow the local game here, in Kisumu, saw

Up next for him was Chemelil in which he played for the full ninety minutes and the match ended in a draw. He has never looked back since then.

Early Years

Maurice is a product of the meticulous breeding that goes on in the slum areas of Kisumu. Nyalenda in this case. Benfica and Monaco, his first ever clubs in the very few, dusty (and now diminishing) pitches of

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INTERVIEW

Nyalenda are probably now defunct.

These are clubs he followed through and through and as school became a thing of necessity, football paved way for his secondary school education.

A generous chunk of Premier League footballers raised in the City of Kisumu presently will tell you something about Kisumu Youth Football Association (KYFA), a youth league that dates back to ten years ago.

Maurice too, has played here in three categories. Just like most, the U-18 KYFA league was his last and he signed off in style bagging that edition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade. His masterly ball handling techniques are all credits to the league and his youth coach Fred Oloo at Pro 16. This, in fact, is what makes him stand out according to his current coach at Stima, Mr Henry Omino. ‘’I like his handling of the ball but most of all, he is a player who likes to listen and a fast learner at that. Playing him alongside Joash was probably an advantage to his development because our former captain was a leader here,’’ Omino says.

Despite sitting out the first half of the 2016 KPL due to an injury layoff, Ojwang returned to feature for Stima in the entire second leg as they finished a record fifth. He picks out two matches as his most favorite so far; a 0-0 draw at home to Posta Rangers and his last outing for Bondo United. Joash Onyango saw red just a minute after restart and from here, Ojwang knew it would be a tall order against the experienced mailmen.

Coach Omino tactically dropped Frederick Shimonyo in defense and it was Ojwang’s turn to now lead from the back with his captain out.

Massive Talent in the Region

‘’We may not have won the match against Posta but I’ll take that clean sheet any day. There’s only so much you can do when your defensive partner- and whom you look up to in this case- is red carded with 45 more minutes to play. It’s like leaving a baby to walk on their own just

MAURICE OJWANG’

minutes after seeing them make the first baby-steps,’’ Ojwang recollects.

Against Bondo United in 2015, National Super League (NSL) side Palos FC needed a win to cement top position on the log and eclipse Vihiga United’s dominance in the Division 1 table standings. All they needed was to win away to Bondo United, but Ojwang in his last match, wanted a little more respect. The 1-0 result for the hosts took them to second as Palos dropped to 3rd.

Even though Bondo would not gain promotion into the second tier until later on at the end of the season, Ojwang settling in well at Stima was a win for Coach Ondula.

have in fact come early. The 20 year old just like his idol and Kenyan international David Owino- does not fluff chances. He takes it and he owns it. Given a chance soon, it will be his.

‘’The teams that eventually gained promotion (Palos and Vihiga) truly deserved it. One might look at it

‘I like his ball handling but most of all, he is a player who listens and is a fast learner.' ~ Henry Omino and say that the loss of key players in the course of the season cost us, but I choose to look at it differently.

Ojwang and a few others had done their part and it was only fair for the younger upcoming ones to also get their chance. We can never run out of talent in this region,’’ concludes Ondula, who is just one of the few Football Kenya Federation (FKF) instructors from Kisumu.

Maurice Ojwang has just received his maiden call-up to the national team, one backed by all his previous coaches some of whom feel it should

34 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

Follow Fabian Odhiambo on Twitter: @fabian_odhiambo

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

JOHANNA OMOLO

JOHANNA OMOLO "Girls are one of the biggest distraction to footballers. I would advice them that if you really must have a girlfriend, find one and stick to her. I believe she can help you focus on your career."

By Jeff Kinyanjui

K

enyan International Johanna Omolo left Kenya for Belgium as an inexperienced teenager back in 2007. 10 years later, he has been an integral part of the Royal Antwerp squad that earned promotion to the Belgian top-tier league after a 13 year hiatus since being relegated in 2004.

His journey to Belgium came right after he had shone in a local tournament, Extreme Super 8, which earned him a place in Kenya’s U20 squad that took part in the 2006 CECAFA U20 Championship in Rwanda.

He was to start his life in Belgium in the third tier at CS Vise alongside former Kenya U20 defender and former Kakamega High prodigy Sebastian Muchera.

After two years he was off to club side Fola Esch in Luxembourg and after two seasons he was back in Belgium where he joined top tier side Beerschot.

It was while at this club that he earned his first senior Kenya national cap – handed to him by coach Zedekiah ´Zico´ Otieno, in February 2011 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg in an international friendly against South Africa. He now has 16 senior caps for the national team with three goals.

36 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

His first, in May 2014, was a stunner against Comoros and the other two, a brace, was in a game against Mauritius in October 2015.

After a loan spell at second tier side Lommel United, from Beerschot in 2012, he joined Lommel permanently the next year and this set the tone for his move to Antwerp in 2014 where he is to date.

At the end of 2015 he was a dejected man, as favored Antwerp blew their promotion chances on the final day. That promotion came at the end of 2016, and months later the father of a young family is still in celebratory mood.

To succeed Omolo who reveals his inspiration both locally and abroad says patience and hard work is key and is urging young players to avoid distractions in order to make mentionable progress. Girls, he says, can be a real distraction in a young man’s career but at the same time the motivator that makes one make it or break it.

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STAR ON THE RISE OJWANG’ STARON ONTHE THERISE RISE MAURICESTAR

Soka recently caught up with highlyrated midfielder in Brussels for an interview

When did you leave home (Kenya) for Belgium?

2007

Did you get here through a scout?

Somehow yes. I was born in Dandora.

A man by the name Jean-Marie Abeels had come to visit the hood and heard about a talented young player in the under twenty Kenyan National team. He came to watch me play for Dandora Youth and later on he simply asked if I would like to pursue an opportunity to play in Belgium.

Just like that?

(Chuckles) … yes just like that! But he also added that there was a process to follow but I think he said that to make me more interested. He said I first needed to train in his football

academy (JMJ) to prove I was ready and if I could also make it at the top level in Europe. I played for JMJ for approximately four months.

Where was this football academy located?

It was at the Kenya Science Teachers College but later on the academy was moved to Kawangware after they purchased a piece of land.

After playing there for a while, I finally came to Belgium.

After your arrival in Belgium how did you adapt to the new environment?

There were some challenges. First was the cold weather. I remember being advised to dress warm but it never crossed my mind it would be that bad.

When I got off the plane in Brussels it was so cold that could barely feel my ears. I would say the weather was one of my biggest challenges. I doubt an African can easily adapt to this cold weather. Training became very hard.

38 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

Could it have been that the other players were better than you?Not really, even if that was the case because of where I am from I would have had to push myself. One day the cold was too much that I told the coach I could not train anymore. The other players made fun of me but they also understood I’m from Africa and wasn’t used to that kind of weather.

Any other challenges?

Language was also a barrier. The food was also a bit different because I was used to three warm meals a day but in Belgium it was a main course once and a sandwich before you get to bed (laughs hysterically) … I could not understand this!

Did the club get you an apartment?

The agent, Jean Marie, who brought us to Belgium got us apartments because we first had to do trials with the club CS Vise (in the third division) but after we were officially signed the club took over the responsibility. In

JOHANNA OMOLO

www.soka.co.ke THE BIG INTERVIEW

the beginning we were three in the apartment. We both lived together with another Kenyan, Sebastian Muchera.

easy - I’ve been through a lot. It’s just like in other walks of life but I’m glad with what I have achieved.

How important is the transition period for a foreign based player in Europe?

Actually that is one of the most important periods for a foreign player especially from Africa because the whole system is different. The facilities back home are not so good compared to the ones here like the pitch. For example when playing everything is fast, the game is fast, the ball moves fast so one is forced to think and move fast too. Things have to be almost perfect. You need to adapt to that style of play and I think the earlier the better.

because without it we could not achieve anything. So for me it is consistency and patience that are the biggest lessons I picked from the just concluded season.

How do you feel now that your team has been promoted?

I´m feeling great and very proud of what we have been able to achieve because the club has been trying for 13 years to be promoted. The club prides itself as the first club to be formed in Belgium (1880) and they have been in the second division for a long time but when we won (first division playoffs) the fans celebrated even more than the players, it meant a lot to them. They were crying tears of joy.

It was a special moment for all of us.

After your last few games what experience would you like to take forward with you, could you use it even some day in the national team Harambee Stars?

I always try to learn a new thing everyday and I like challenging myself. In the club I’ve been able to play two roles; sometimes a more defensive role and other times also as a box to box midfielder and I have realised I can actually do this because I believe if you focus

What advice would you offer young players who are relocating abroad if they are as young as you were when you first came here?

My first advice is for them to be patient, work hard and concentrate. What I have come to realize with this profession is the amount of distractions - they are very many. Girls are one of the biggest distractions. I would advise them that if you really must have a girlfriend, find one and stick to her. I believe that a good lady can help you focus on your career because instead of going out at night and partying you would rather spend time together and this in turn helps you build your career because she helps you in maintaining discipline.

You don’t miss training sessions and you are always fresh for every game.

When you have many girlfriends it becomes hard to focus on playing.

Just find someone you trust and like.

During the whole season until the time of promotion, what have you learnt and what will help you move forward?

Consistency is key. When we started the season the performance wasn’t good but after a while we had a turn around and we started winning games. We were forced to work hard because we needed to be consistent with the winnings

When did you leave home (Kenya) for Belgium?

2007

Did you get here through a scout?

Somehow yes. I was born in Dandora.

A man by the name Jean-Marie Abeels had come to visit the hood and heard about a talented young player in the under twenty Kenyan National team. He came to watch me play for

Were you lucky enough to find that one girl or did you learn your lesson the hard way?

Luckily I did not learn it the hard way but rather experienced it happening to other players. I saw how these distractions made them lose focus on what was important.

Talking about it is easy but when you´re in that situation it´s difficult.

It is ten years later now, how would you summarize that transition?

It´s been a real struggle, it´s not been

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

Dandora Youth and later on he simply asked if I would like to pursue an opportunity to play in Belgium.

Just like that?

(Chuckles) … yes just like that! But he also added that there was a process to follow but I think he said that to make me more interested. He said I first needed to train in his football academy (JMJ) to prove I was ready and if I could also make it at the top level in Europe. I played for JMJ for approximately four months.

Where was this football academy located?

It was at the Kenya Science Teachers College but later on the academy was moved to Kawangware after they purchased a piece of land.

After playing there for a while, I finally came to Belgium.

After your arrival in Belgium how did you adapt to the new environment?

There were some challenges. First was the cold weather. I remember being advised to dress warm but it never crossed my mind it would be that bad.

When I got off the plane in Brussels it was so cold that could barely feel my ears. I would say the weather was one of my biggest challenges. I doubt an African can easily adapt to this cold weather. Training became very hard.

Could it have been that the other players were better than you?

Not really, even if that was the case because of where I am from I would have had to push myself. One day the cold was too much that I told the coach I could not train anymore. The other players made fun of me but they also understood I’m from Africa and wasn’t used to that kind of weather.

Any other challenges?

Language was also a barrier. The food was also a bit different because I was used to three warm meals a day but in Belgium it was a main course once and a sandwich before you get to bed (laughs hysterically) … I could not understand this!

JOHANNA OMOLO

The agent, Jean Marie, who brought us to Belgium got us apartments because we first had to do trials with the club CS Vise (in the third division) but after we were officially signed the club took over the responsibility. In the beginning we were three in the apartment. We both lived together with another Kenyan, Sebastian Muchera.

How important is the transition period for a foreign based player in Europe?

Actually that is one of the most important periods for a foreign player especially from Africa because the whole system is different. The facilities back home are not so good compared to the ones here like the pitch. For example when playing everything is fast, the game is fast, the ball moves fast so one is forced to think and move fast too. Things have to be almost perfect. You need to adapt to that style of play and I think the earlier the better.

What advice would you offer young players who are relocating abroad if they are as young as you were when you first came here?

My first advice is for them to be patient, work hard and concentrate. What I have come

When did you leave home (Kenya) for Belgium?

2007

Did you get here through a scout?

Somehow yes. I was born in Dandora.

A man by the name Jean-Marie Abeels had come to visit the hood and heard about a talented young player in the under twenty Kenyan National team. He came to watch me play for Dandora Youth and later on he simply asked if I would like to pursue an opportunity to play in Belgium.

Just like that?

(Chuckles) … yes just like that! But he also added that there was a process to follow but I think he said that to make me more interested. He said I first needed to train in his football academy (JMJ) to prove I was ready

Did the club get you an apartment?

40 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

STAR ONOMOLO THE RISE www.soka.co.ke STAR ONINTERVIEW THE RISE JOHANNA

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE

41

THE BIG INTERVIEW

JOHANNA OMOLO

and if I could also make it at the top level in Europe. I played for JMJ for approximately four months.

Where was this football academy located?

It was at the Kenya Science Teachers College but later on the academy was moved to Kawangware after they purchased a piece of land.

After playing there for a while, I finally came to Belgium.

After your arrival in Belgium how did you adapt to the new environment?

There were some challenges. First was the cold weather. I remember being advised to dress warm but it never crossed my mind it would be that bad.

When I got off the plane in Brussels it was so cold that could barely feel my ears. I would say the weather was one of my biggest challenges. I doubt an African can easily adapt to this cold weather. Training became very hard.

Could it have been that the other players were better than you?

Not really, even if that was the case because of where I am from I would have had to push myself. One day the cold was too much that I told the coach I could not train anymore. The other players made fun of me but they also understood I’m from Africa and wasn’t used to that kind of weather.

Any other challenges?

Language was also a barrier. The food was also a bit different because I was used to three warm meals a day but in Belgium it was a main course once and a sandwich before you get to bed (laughs hysterically) … I could not understand this!

Did the club get you an apartment?

The agent, Jean Marie, who brought us to Belgium got us apartments because we first had to do trials with the club CS Vise (in the third division) but after we were officially signed the club took over the responsibility. In

42 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

www.soka.co.ke

the beginning we were three in the apartment. We both lived together with another Kenyan, Sebastian Muchera.

How important is the transition period for a foreign based player in Europe?

Actually that is one of the most important periods for a foreign player especially from Africa because the whole system is different. The facilities back home are not so good compared to the ones here like the pitch. For example when playing everything is fast, the game is fast, the ball moves fast so one is forced to think and move fast too. Things have to be almost perfect. You need to adapt to that style of play and I think the earlier the better.

What advice would you offer young players who are relocating abroad if they are as young as you were when you first came here?

My first advice is for them to be patient, work hard and concentrate. What I have come to realize with this profession is the amount of distractions - they are very many. Girls are one of the biggest distractions. I would advise them that if you really must have a girlfriend, find one and stick to her. I believe that a good lady can help you focus on your career because instead of going out at night and partying you would rather spend time together and this in turn helps you build your career because she helps you in maintaining discipline.

You don’t miss training sessions and you are always fresh for every game.

When you have many girlfriends it becomes hard to focus on playing.

Just find someone you trust and like.

Were you lucky enough to find that one girl or did you learn your lesson the hard way?

Luckily I did not learn it the hard way but rather experienced it happening to other players. I saw how these distractions made them lose focus on what was important.

Talking about it is easy but when you´re in that situation it´s difficult.

It is ten years later now, how would

you summarize that transition?

It´s been a real struggle, it´s not been easy - I’ve been through a lot. It’s just like in other walks of life but I’m glad with what I have achieved.

How do you feel now that your team has been promoted?

I´m feeling great and very proud of what we have been able to achieve because the club has been trying for 13 years to be promoted. The club prides itself as the first club to be formed in Belgium (1880) and they have been in the second division for a long time but when we won (first division playoffs) the fans celebrated even more than the players, it meant a lot to them. They were crying tears of joy.

It was a special moment for all of us.

During the whole season until the time of promotion, what have you learnt and what will help you move forward?

Consistency is key. When we started the season the performance wasn’t good but after a while we had a turn around and we started winning games. We were forced to work hard because we needed to be consistent with the winnings because without it we could not achieve anything. So for me it is consistency and patience that are the biggest lessons I picked from the just concluded season.

After your last few games what experience would you like to take forward with you, could you use it even some day in the national team Harambee Stars?

I always try to learn a new thing everyday and I like challenging myself.

In the club I’ve been able to play two roles; sometimes a more defensive role and other times also as a box to box midfielder and I have realised I can actually do this because I believe if you focus your mind onto something then it’s doable. Every new coach comes with his own style of play and I have played both roles confidently.

What are your plans for next season?

At the moment I’m still in a celebratory

mood but of course I’ve thought about next season. The top-tier is definitely harder and that means I have to work twice as hard, the exposure is also good because the audience is broader. So I definitely will be more focused and play better.

What are you going to do different in the new season?

I will try to strengthen my weak points and improve on my strengths.

I know you have big dreams, where do you see yourself in two or four years?

Definitely England. I believe I can do it. I´ve had interactions with agents but for the last three or four seasons something is always lacking. I also realized I can move to a top tier level with the club and we did it finally so anything is achievable in the world of football.

How would you describe your role in the promotion of the club?

Actually fans voted me as their best player for the season and that shows the fans appreciate my efforts and I did well.

In terms of being a top player what has been your biggest challenge so far?

I would say it’s the number of coaches we´ve had this season because every coach comes with their own tactics or maybe prefers other players. At the beginning of the season, the coach then did not play me in the first eleven but after some games I started playing, then another coach was brought in and he came with his own players and I had to work for it and earned a place to play. A third one came and I didn’t play for three games but I again proved myself and played more.

I´m one of the players who has played more games this season (25). I also think when a new coach comes the first impression is very important or maybe the coach has heard something about you and he doesn’t prefer you. My main challenge was to always work harder

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

JOHANNA OMOLO

to prove my worth to these coaches.

How do you think you can overcome these challenges in the future?

In the future I would say it is through consistency, because I have realized I experience a dip in form at times.

Besides the normal stuff like working hard or training more, the usual things players do, what other ways do you use to get yourself back on top form or what sort of environment do you create to make yourself better?

It is actually my family. They are my motivation. Anytime I feel like I’m down they do everything to make sure I am okay.

Do you have a family in Belgium?

Yes. I have a wife and two kids.

One is six months old the other is two and a half years.

I think the first thing they should do is learn how to talk with players.

African players, as long as they are happy will perform well. You know sometimes when players go to camps and they have not been paid or the camp facilities are not good such things are distractions and in turn affect performance. I think when players are well taken care of and their families are happy then they will always do well.

Harambee stars are now playing more friendly games which is good. Things were different before. Regular playing time also helps with exposure like recently a Kenyan select team played in Europe against Hull City. That is very good.

When you were young who were your role models?

Zidane was the best and there is also Xavi.

And locally?

Locally it was Pascal Ochieng. He was from Dandora. I remember we would attend Harambee Stars games just to watch him play. Sometimes we would even jump over the fence (laughs). He was our role model and he inspired me a lot. He is one of the few people I still look up to.

So it is a young family?

Yes, a very young family.

Back at home in regards to Harambee Stars and the whole football industry, after being abroad for ten years, what expertise do you think you could offer?

I have a dream of what I would like to do back at home. When you are in Europe you honestly see and learn more. Basic things like football academies do not require a lot and are a norm in Europe. I think such facilities in Kenya would help the game grow.

I would like in the future to setup my own football academy in Dandora where I came from. There is a lot of talent there. For example, if you compare kids of the same age group from here and from Kenya the ones back at home play much better.

Here kids grow up with an almost perfect system and when they play top football the difference is evident due to the upbringing and training.

If you had a sit down with whoever runs football in Kenya what structural recommendations would you give to help improve the game back home?

"In future, I would like to set up my own football academy in Dandora where I came.

There is a lot of talent there."

Follow Jeff Kinyanjui on Twitter: @Nyash88

44 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke STAR ON THE RISE

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WOMEN FOOTBALL

FLORENCE ADHIAMBO

assembled to play a friendly against Uganda and she landed her first ever call up to the national team in a game that ended in a barren draw.

A year later, she was in the select team that played in the US Dallas Cup Tournament - a team that was coached by Habil Nanjero. For a budding teenager who had just come off the back of a stellar performance with a local football club, this fete was nothing short of phenomenal.

FLORENCE ADHIAMBO defies all odds to inspire upcoming footballers

F

By Terry Ouko

or an ardent Kenya women football fan, the name Florence Adhiambo definitely rings a bell given the massive impact she has had in the game. Fondly known as Duah in football circles, the former Harambee Starlets skipper boasts a rich profile having made her debut in the national team at the tender age of 15. The fleetfooted creative midfielder produced a series of spectacular goals that have lived in memories a decade later.

Born and bred in Maringo, in the suburbs of Nairobi, Adhiambo drew inspiration from Musa Otieno who was her neighbor when she started her playing career at Makongeni Ladies in 1993. She then moved to Eastlanders three years later where she featured in the then Women Countrywide League sponsored by Orbitsports, where they were crowned champions. She however admits that it was an uphill task convincing her parents to allow her play football, since to them it was an unproductive venture and they preferred to see her concentrate on her studies instead.

“I cannot say I grew up in the best circumstances, since my parents did not approve of me playing football.

They thought it would lead to negative peer pressure and derail my education.

Since the early years women had not fully embraced football, I would be

“Since the early years women had not fully embraced football, I would be thoroughly beaten at home if I attended any training session.” thoroughly beaten at home if I attended any training session or football matches.

For the passion and the love of the game, I just had to develop a thick skin and continue playing. Little did my parents know that the game was changing me for the better,” she said.

In 1994, a James Siang’a coached women‘s national team was

46 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

“When I was called up to the national team my father came to the stadium to see if I was really capable of playing football. I did not get a chance to start the match, but I got the last 15 minutes and I did not disappoint. That’s when he had a change of heart and started letting me play football freely. I then made the squad that travelled to the US and that’s when I started taking football seriously.”

In 1999 Kenya had another chance to play a friendly match in the USA against Yale University, an experience Adhiambo reckons was her worst experience contrary to expectations.

She was beginning to crumble, but with time she duly accepted the tidal waves of challenges she was facing. In as much as opportunities were available for the talented girls to showcase their talents, she says frustration and players being treated badly was the order of the day.

She got little play time in the then tight-knit squad comprising of the women’s football crème de la crème of Julia Omusula, Mary Adhiambo, Doreen Nabwire, and others.

In the same year, Kenya, then coached

by George Wakasala, played a twolegged friendly match against South Africa and she donned the arm band for the first time. Harambee Starlets went on to win 1-0 at home, before losing 2-1 away to Banyana Banyana. She was on the score sheet and suddenly became one of the adored midfielders; proving that her club scoring form was no mere fluke. Ironically, the team had been assembled on match day but still put up a good show.

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WOMEN FOOTBALL

FLORENCE ADHIAMBO

“In as much as most people think women football started just the other day, it has actually been serious business for some of us in the past two decades or so.”

I remember the trip to Yale University as if it was yesterday. It was the most frustrating time for me, and I was on the verge of quitting football just because of how a section of the technical bench members were treating us. This was not an obstacle though, since we had more international assignments and as a result some of the players like Carol Lugonzo landed scholarships to the US which was a great achievement,” she said.

In 2006 Harambee Starlets took part in the World Cup qualifiers, again under Adhiambo’s inspired captaincy and beat Djibouti 7-0 in the first match. She then went down into the books of history; pulling a moment of incredible genius and becoming the first Kenyan woman footballer to net a hat-trick in an international stage.

up a role in football administration,” Oyoo reminisces.

Coaching career Unsurprisingly, one of Kenya’s adored daughters would bounce back; only this time as a coach of the Under 20 Women National Team. As had been the norm, the team was hurriedly assembled with three days before the match.

Well, that was not the only drawback as four first team players had to drop out of the team on the last day due to age issues. While Adhiambo quietly bemoaned lack of a formidable midfield and an enterprise attack as she had previously envisioned, a perfect 2-1 win over Lesotho at the Nyayo National Stadium was the full-time result in front of a naysaying crowd which had anticipated a thumping from the established South African opposition.

As if to act as a spring board that propelled her to her current coaching status, the win against Lesotho revealed her ability to adapt and motivate players in a short period of time. She had to alter her methods to get as

The second round would prove tricky, with Kenya losing 5-0 and 4-0 respectively in the hands of Cameroon. As a result, the football governing body then I am open to other options outside the country as well, but my known as Kenya Football Federation (KFF) would shove desire is to see women football structured in such a way that we the ladies aside for four years have girls teams from the under 9 category upwards without any international competitions until 2011 when the under 20 national team was assembled for the World Cup Qualifiers. much potential as she could out of the players in such a short time. The reverse fixture would end in a 2-2 draw Mombasa Youth Olympic coach Joseph Oyoo, with Harambee Starlets and Vihiga Queens midfielder formerly of Railway Football Club admits that Maureen Ater-then playing in the right back position; Duah was his worst nightmare during the annual powering in a ferocious shot from the halfway line to net Jamhuri Cup tournaments. The Kenya ace bagged the equalizing goal deep into stoppage time in Lesotho’s the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player backyard and enabling Kenya book a date with Zambia.

(MVP) accolade twice in 1998 and 2000 playing for Eastlanders, then replicated the same feat Belief in women football slowly crept in, with more parties in the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) yearning to associate with the rather previously underrated tournament in 2001 and 2003 respectively earning side. The next fixture was still nerve wrecking but as usual, her a place in the then James Odijo Omondi coached Adhiambo preferred to walk by faith and not by sight.

Mathare United Women’s team. She would ditch Zambia’s men’s national team had just won the Africa Cup Mathare six months later to play for Makolandars. of Nations (AFCON), and the same positive energy for a strong West African side was easily contagious to their “Meeting Eastlanders in the final was a major women’s side. Expectedly, Kenya lost 2-1 in the first leg. headache. Mombasa Railways housed the best players but these opponents had mastered a unique Zambia still oozing confidence from the win, showed up in style of play. They were technically sound, skillful and Nairobi with a spruced-up team that had a few inclusions had some very slick touches and accurate passing. We with their professional players joining the fray. They would would switch to long direct balls and bank on speed then get a rude shock at the Nyayo National Stadium, when since we could not beat them in their own game.

Kenya registered a resounding 4-0 win against them.

Duah particularly was on top form and was the team captain with great leadership ability. From a tender “I remember being asked in one of the interviews about age she had shown signs of coaching or even taking where my players are attached professionally and I replied

48 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

www.soka.co.ke

“West Pokot” with Neddy Atieno who was at Tartar High School in mind,” she said with a chuckle.

The promising team’s incredible run then came to a screeching halt in the third round, when Tunisia ended their quest for a place in the World Cup Finals after beating them 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. The disappointment was

other tournaments in Sweden and Italy respectively. The 39 year old now has her eyes set on leading the senior women national team, Harambee Starlets or other national teams that would wish to use her services.

“I would like to coach the senior team now that I have coached both the under20 and under17 national teams. I am open to other options outside the country as well, but my desire is to see women football structured in such a way that we have girls teams from the under9 category upwards. This will ensure there is continuity and a strong feeder program to the national teams.

It doesn’t have to be big, using schools can go a long way,” she remarks.

“I locked up myself in a room and cried the moment the news that my key players would miss the match reached me. We had worked tirelessly for the three available preparation days, and despite acting all calm in front of the players I was silently praying for a miracle,” she recalled.

evident, but the team she left behind made up half the senior team that took part in the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) five years later.

The under 20 team went on to win the Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) award in 2012, after a stand out performance beating off Malkia Strikers (Volleyball) and the Telkom Hockey team.

She embarked on coaching Makolandars in the Women Premier League (WPL), but would then shift to Nairobi Regional League (NRL) side Sports Connect.

Probably the only lady to lead a fourth tier men’s team to a fourth place finish, she also landed a job at Ligi Ndogo as a youth coach.

The lady of many firsts is the only Kenyan female football instructor with a CAF B coaching license she attained in 2011. The soft spoken coach has won the Gothia Cup twice in 2014 and 2015 with her under 13 team , and is set to lead an under 15 side in Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

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STAR ON THE RISE INTERVIEW

STAR ON THE RISE JOHANNA OMOLO

50 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

VIVIAN & SHARON www.soka.co.ke WOMEN FOOTBALL

VIVIAN & SHARON Everything about them is identical; they are twins, with twin interests in football and singing, and those interests are now threatening to take them apart

If you were visiting the Kenya Women National Team camp at the Moi Stadium Kasarani for the first time, you would not only be able to tell Vivian and Sharon apart but watching and listening to their mellow voices that engulfed the air as the team assembled for their routine prayer session is something you would adore.

The multitalented girls can easily make the angels descend from heaven and join the duet in song and dance, in reality they were not trying to pull a crowd for a concert but preparing for Kenya’s debut appearance in the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON); in which they were both major contributors in the qualification stages.

While twins are an oddity, coming across a pair that play together at the top level is even rarer. Not only did the multi-talented sisters become the first ever set of twins to play in the Kenya Women National Team, but they also played in four different clubs together.

By Terry Ouko

B

Early Years orn the year 1994 in a tough neighborhood-Mathare slum, centre back Sharon Aluoch Komullo and custodian Vivian Akinyi Komulo started playing football in 2003 at the tender age of nine.

At the time, they were both playing at the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) where they discovered their talent.

It was not a rosy affair growing up, and Sharon narrates that they had to endure life struggles in their younger years. However it was not all gloom; in primary school their parents were cash strapped and therefore had to rely on a well-wisher who offered to pay their school fee at Valley View Academy.

“We were born in the slum and life has not been a walk in the park. I remember

when we were in primary school, our head teacher Mr. Moses Sumba had to pay our school fee since we were always being sent home for non-payment. We were good footballers so, in the long run, we just played football and studied for free,” she said in a low tone.

Where it All Started

Developed by the 2010 Women Premier League (WPL) winning coach Austine Ajowi with the Mathare United Women’s side, the 22 year old duo say that their youth football stage was gruesome.

“We started playing football for True Colours Football Club under coach Austine. At first we were very shy and the thought of playing football was far-fetched. This was mainly because while growing up other kids in the neighborhood perfected the art of bullying us

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“We started playing football for True Colours Football Club under coach Austine.

At first we were very shy and the thought of playing football was far-fetched,” - Sharon Komulo

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VIVIAN & SHARON www.soka.co.ke WOMEN FOOTBALL

around. We never understood why, but I guess it was because of how similar we were, or just to intimidate us from being competitive,” Sharon says.

The Harambee Starlets’ duo came to the limelight after trying out successfully with the MYSA under-14 team. They then took part in the annual Norway Cup tournament in 2008 to kick start their journey to competitive football; as unfathomable as it was initially.

The inseparable twins then won the East and Central tournament in Tanzania with the same team a year later, before joining Sega Girls High School in Siaya County in 2010 through a MYSA football scholarship. The scholarship program would then stop and the twins had to move to Maina Wanjigi -a day school in Nairobi.

Having had stellar performances at Sega Girls High School, reaching the East Africa Secondary School Games level, they were selected in the Airtel Rising Stars team in 2012. At the same time, they were playing for the Mathare United Women under 20 football team, before moving to Makolandars in the Women Premier League.

National Team Debut They may not be Siamese twins but when the Harambee starlets’ team was assembled in 2015, they were both called up and that would later lead to their debut appearances in the Olympic qualification matches. The custodian who at the time faced stiff competition from Makolandar’s Pauline Atieno and Spedag’s Samantha Achieng had to work twice as hard to regain fitness to match the two.

Due to lack of a stable women’s league that led to the withdrawal of Mathare Women’s team from the Women Premier League, the twins remained unattached to a competitive club for close to two years but once in a while played for their parent club True Colours.

“We have always kind of been together all the time, what I do

“We have always kind of been together all the time, what I do Sharon automatically does. We have a strong bond that connects us together,” Vivian Komulo Sharon automatically does. We have a strong bond that connects us together. It gets to a point when if am sick, my sister’s presence makes it better. At some point while at the national team during the fitness training, we passed out almost at the same time. People kept asking how that happened but we really don’t have tangible answers. It’s just the way we are, we enjoy working and having fun together,” Vivian remarked.

are also disciplined and with a consistent women football program they are destined to greatness. To top it up they can still pursue a career in music since they are talented in that field too,” Ouma noted.

The national team coach David Ouma had faith in the twins and many other players who he says he got out of retirement. It was a time the team had serious Olympic qualification matches against Botswana and South Africa, but the then Sofapaka FC coach had to put the team through a rigorous fitness program in order to get tangible results from the fixtures. Perfect examples of such players are Jackline Juma who was already engrossed in coaching at Acacoro Football Academy, and Martha Karimi a KNVB and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) instructor.

In as much as Vivian and Sharon are always together, after Kenya qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations Sharon was left out of the showpiece due to an ankle injury.

This is something Vivian says affected her greatly while in Limbe, Cameroon for the continental tournament.

“I felt something was wrong because most of these girls had given up on active football. It reached a point I had to get some of them out of retirement and make them believe in themselves again. They are still good football players and even play at club level. Sharon and Vivian particularly are good players, who

“Sharon and Vivian particularly are good players, who are also disciplined and with a consistent women football program they are destined to greatness.” -David Ouma, Kenya Women’s National Coach

“We had previously gone to all competitions together right from when we were little. We joined the national team together and it was hard for me make the trip to Algeria and Cameroon without Vivian. I was mostly lonely, and I can’t say it affected me on the pitch but generally it was an odd feeling not seeing her around.

She was however very supportive and would check on me whenever she could. Truth is I would have loved to grace the big stage with Sharon by my side. Thankfully, we have made many memories together and God had a reason for that,” Vivian continued.

CECAFA Having grown into a top goal keeper,

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WOMEN FOOTBALL

VIVIAN & SHARON

the rather shy custodian was at some point the first choice keeper.

This was evident during the CECAFA tournament held in Uganda, as well as the last matches. Sharon, whose tall figure is not only intimidating, but is also a force to reckon with at the heart of defense however says that singing is in their long-term plans as opposed to football. The duo plays for Soccer Queens FC in the Women Premier League, and Sharon adds that they are braced for the new season despite a bleak future marred by lack of sponsorship.

“I personally love football, and I know my sister feels the same way. The only setback is I feel we have a long way to go as women footballers in Kenya. In as much as the federation is trying to better the standards, it looks like a general problem. When we thought qualifying to the AWCON would get a couple of players a chance to play professional football, not a single player has landed a deal abroad. I therefore feel like since football has a shorter life span compared to singing, I would like to play on but singing looks promising as it stands. We are prepared for the WPL even though lack of sponsors makes the league less competitive, but if corporates can come in and support the league the national team will be stronger,” Sharon asserted.

COTIF Tournament Reminiscing their memorable moments, the twins say going to Spain for the COTIF tournament was the highlight of their careers. Having previously been to Botswana, South Africa and Algeria, Spain was their second European destination; something they hold dear due to their love of travelling. Apart from that they prefer leading a quiet life; a virtue instilled in them through strict upbringing.

That however does not mean

we wind up the interview.

“The only setback is I feel we have a long way to go as women footballers in Kenya. In as much as the federation is trying to better the standards, it looks

Despite having had to juggle between football and music, Sharon has seven national team caps while Vivian has 10. Notably, they are the first ever set of twins to play together at the Kenya Women’s Senior National Team.

like a general problem,” -Sharon they do not have their share of mischief, and before the trip to Spain they got into trouble at the Embassy.

“Football has enabled us visit many countries and we enjoy that most. For instance when we went to Spain, the difference is huge, not just their culture but also their food. It was somehow hard to adapt at first, but it was fun just interacting with the rest of the world. Before we went to Spain, Sharon and I decided to use the same passport size photos thinking we looked alike so it would go unnoticed. Woe unto us, after a while the team manager broke the news to us that we had to take another set of photos. That was the most embarrassing moment to me.

Besides travelling, singing and playing football we are rather laid back. We were brought up with strong Christian values, and we actually started singing in church. It has always been illegal to go clubbing or even touch alcohol in our house. By extension even the music we do is mainly gospel,” Vivian concluded as

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Follow Terry Ouko on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

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THE GREEN COMMANDOS: WA I T I N G F O R D A Y B R E A K

I

By Fabian Odhiambo t is darkest before dawn, that’s what they say. After a series of anticlimaxes, that’s what you want to hear; that it is darkest before dawn.

“We hone good football, so the few set-backs we have suffered over the past few years aren’t much of a deterrent”- Brenden Mwinamo

Coach Brenden Ichingwa Mwinamo- a Master’s Degree holder- knows too well how dark it can get when success was all everyone saw imminent. He has been on the touchline when a single- and unfortunate- goal tossed him out of the 2013 Kakamega County school games right in his own backyard.

The Green Commandos of Kakamega High School pre-maturely bowed out of the 2013 edition of the Kakamega County School games after Vincent Atsango’s 73rd minute goal was all that the match ever saw, and Mautuma Boys High School valiantly stormed into the next stage; Regional school games. A year later the boys in green gallantly marched all the way to the pinnacle of Schools football, and dismissed archrivals Kisumu Day High School in the final- all this while, conceding just one goal from the moment they began the 2014 campaign. They clearly had taken it in their stride- that it is darkest before dawn. ‘’We’ve had our ups and downs as a footballing powerhouse but we never give up. Look at how our players fare even when they finish school. We hone good football, so the few set-backs we have suffered over the past few years aren’t much of a deterrent. This however, is a very different year,’’ Coach Mwinamoafter seeing his 2017 squad off a Saturday morning training session- begins.

A graduate of Moi University School of Education, Mwinamo was first posted to Kakamega High School as a young teacher in the year 1996- he has never

GREEN COMMANDOS www.soka.co.ke YOUTH FOOTBALL

left the school since. It’s here that his coaching role with the Green Commandos begins under the watchful eye of the now deceased Chris Makokha. Alongside, Vitalis Kangaya, the two would keenly take instructions from the late Makokha whose stepping down a few years later, meant all eyes were now on them. Coach Kangaya, before being promoted to principal’s positionand subsequently transferred away from Kakamega High- bagged his gold medal in 2008 after seeing off Waa High School in the final of the national school games staged at Machakos. Mwinamo was to wait another six years before he could claim his, and it came on home soil.

The Green Commandos haven’t graced the national school games for two years now, suffice to saythey haven’t had a chance to defend the title they last won in 2014 on a national rostrum. 2015 had their controversy involving regional rivals St Anthony’s Kitale to blame after an unexpected re-match saw the boys fall 1-0 in Machakos before the actual national games began. The following year, an upstart Lokichar sent the Green Commandos home after taking the lead in the first half and defended it with their lives in the next.

Kakamega had fallen to St Anthony’s in their opener before being held to a goal-les draw by eventual regional champs Friends School Bukembe. To hit the semi-finals therefore, they only had to beat Lokichar, and they didn’t. ‘’That’s how they all play against us, and over the years we have gradually accepted that there is never an easy match for us. To be honest, the team we presented last year was still very young and this is the year they have just gotten to their peak. So expect a difference this year’’ intimates the teacher of English at the school.

Here’s a team that missed promotion into the country’s second tier of football by just one point- one which the coach attributes to the difference in schedules between his team and other Football Kenya Federation Division 1 teams. The Green Commandos registered for league football in 2012, starting

out with the Provincial league.

They would gain promotion every year until competition became stiffer in the third tier; Division 1. ‘’League football for a school team like us came with a few merits and demerits. We play tough opposition week in week out and so when our school games season commences, most matches are a piece of cake for the boys due to the contrasting quality between league teams and our school rivals,’’ Mwinamo revels in this. ‘There are challenges though.

Take this instance; we finished third on the log in the 2016 Div 1 season, just a point off GFE 105 FC. We never honored our match against eventual league champions Isibania FC because at the time we were honoring our school games so they earned a walkover at our expense.

When we hosted them in the second leg, we ended their unbeaten run and bagged all the three points here in Lubao Stadium. I believe we should be playing in the National Super League (NSL) by right were it not for the few challenges of balancing

Sugar), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Brian Bwire (Ulinzi Stars) and Henry ‘Gaucho’ Juma (Gor Mahia). All of them, regulars at their junior clubs where for the three Kenyan Premier League under 20 editions (April, August and December) they battled out against each other. Ochieng with Mathare United and Mwangi with Ulinzi Stars each won a title.

This list only adds to the pedigree that the Green Commandos have always been synonymous with. A quick look at the gold medal winners of 2014 and their subsequent landing spots after school will tell you that indeed it was The Team.

Erick Ouma did only one season with Gor Mahia before flying to the Georgian top flight where he currently has aroused interests from Turkey and Belgium. Central defender Joseph Okumu on the other hand needed less time, just six months at Chemelil Sugar and South African Premier Soccer League Side Free State Stars came calling.

Apollo Otieno (Chemelil Sugar),

“We play tough opposition week in week out and so when our school games season commences, most matches are a piece of cake for the boys due to the contrasting quality between league teams and our school rivals.’’ between the league and school games,’’ laments Coach Mwinamo.

Former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Barnabas Lihanda has isolated a few players for a juggling session as Coach Mwinamo takes over the remaining batch. Chief among the players Lihanda- a coaching assistanthas taken is Moses Mwangi- you’ll probably remember him for scoring Ulinzi’s first goal against Kakamega Homeboyz in the April edition of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Under 20 final. He is not the only to have played the three editions of the tourney here. In this squad you will find Mazembe James (Thika United), Job Ochieng (Mathare United), Mainge Yusuf (Western Stima), Joshua Otieno (SoNy Sugar senior team/ Also part of the Sportpesa Allstars team that fell 2-1 to Hull City), John Kuol (Chemelil

Vitalis Akumu (Western Stima), Timothy Odhiambo (SoNy Sugar/ Ulinzi Stars), Edwin Mukolwe, Wekesa Alfred and Harun Nyakha (AFC Leopards), Alphonce Ndonye (Mathare United), Stephen Etyang, Monyi Kevin and Selemani Manjenga (Palos FC) each left the institution recently with a gold medal. ‘’I see tones of similarities between my 2014 squad and this one here.

Discipline and commitment are prime among those similarities and we strictly emphasize on the two here. We would rather lose with a disciplined side than win with an indiscipline lot. You can see for yourself the level of commitment herein. Schools have closed but the boys chose to stay back and prepare for our weekend league match against Nyakach United,’’ an evidently proud Mwinamo says.

YOUTH FOOTBALL

GREEN COMMANDOS

To finally forge a team of immense repute like the Green Commandos does not come easily- obviously.

Along the way has one deal with issues ranging from non-conformity to lack of finances. Mwinamo admits to have seen good players not make it through all the four years of high school and pities the lot. A few, he admits- come from difficult backgrounds hence the trouble with settling down in school. ‘’I have seen talent here, sometimes too good it hurts when you can’t get the player focus on school in the hope of helping them secure their future. They only need to look at any successful player who has been here. From Clifton Miheso to Dennis Oliech, they all lead enviable lives as a result of the qualities instilled to them while still here,’’ the Applied Linguistics post graduate says ‘Otieno did not find himself at hull for nothing. it’s all credit to the kind of beautiful football we teach here. as a person, he is a disciplined and determined student. it was just the other day that we were having a friendly match with sony sugar senior team and otieno was a ball boy.

Sustaining the team in the Division 1 league also came with its hurdles, because after all- there is no other school that does what the Green Commandos dared to do.

It is the third tier of football in the country so Coach Mwinamo has to now travel too far for most of his away league matches. There comes the obstacle- one which he feels if more well-wishers come on board, will help assuage the burden. When the team needed to make the long trip to Lodwar for the 2016 regional school games, the Green Commandos hit the headlines when Kakamega Alumni (KA) came together and saw the team airlifted to the remote venue.

This is what makes Mwinamo revel in his coaching role at the school. ‘’Kakamega Alumni have been helpful over the past, and so have a few friends of the school. Some

of our jerseys as you can see are branded and that is courtesy of Cleo Malalah who currently is the Member of County Assembly for Mahiakalo Ward in Kakamega County. Jackson Kilima and Reginald Asibwa have helped ease the burden on a number of occasions and these are the gestures that keep us going as a team. Shows us that there are people who genuinely love and cherish our efforts here in Kakamega,’’ says Coach Mwinamo.

In February 2017 Joshua Otieno arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) 24 hours before the cream of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) - otherwise called the SportPesa AllStars-took on English Premier League side Hull City at the KCOM. Two months before, he had never set foot in Kenya’s Capital Nairobi City. The 16 year old form three

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student is a Green Commando.

He wouldn’t get enough time to prepare for the match, and the two seconds in which AllStars Coach Stanley Okumbi threw him in as his last substitution against Hull didn’t help either for he didn’t even touch the ball. Joshua later remained in East Yorkshire even as his fellow teammates travelled back, a noble request by Hull Legend Dean Windass who also forms part of the Hull Academy Coaching staff.

Even though the select team would fall 2-1 at the hands of Hull, Coach Mwinamo is happy for his boy, and couldn’t ask for anything more. ‘’Otieno did not find himself at Hull for nothing. It’s all credit to the kind of beautiful football we teach here.

As a person, he is a disciplined and determined student. It was just the other day that we were having a friendly match with SoNy Sugar

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senior team and Otieno was a ball boy on the day. At the time, even the coaches at Sony still hadn’t cast an eye on him. We finished the match I just saw three little boys coming to me and saying ‘when we finish primary school we’re coming to Kakamega’. True to their word, the following year they arrived by themselves when we were admitting form ones. Otieno was one of them,’’ recalls Mwinamo.

Joshua will be part of this year’s Green Commandos campaignan offensive right wing player who also sits in the deep-lying playmaker’s position when things get thick. Just like the 2014 march was gallant, Coach Mwinamo wants nothing less when he begins his 2017 season.

He wants to win it, and then call the old-boys back for a re-match just to keep alive the Commando spirit of togetherness. ‘’The old boys want to visit us I’m told. The 2014 lot especially have been calling and they say they are organizing themselves and then choose an off-season break when it will be convenient for us both. I’ve told my current squad about the news and even challenged them to win this year’s national title first so that when the likes of Erick Ouma and Joseph Okumu come, it will be ‘champions vs champions’,’’ Mwinamo laughs at his last comment- perhaps in his mind, trying to figure out which team he will be supporting when the match materializes.

‘Otieno did not find himself at Hull for nothing. It’s all credit to the kind of beautiful football we teach here. As a person, he is a disciplined and determined student. It was just the other day that we were having a friendly match with SoNy Sugar senior team and Otieno was a ball boy on the day Follow Fabian Odhiambo on Twitter: @Fabian_Odhiambo

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STAR ON THE RISE

The story of

JOHN MACHARIA'S

exploits and dreams of brighter days

By Vincent Opiyo “Just as any other footballer, I want to play for one of the biggest club in Europe,” says Kariobangi Sharks’ young midfielder John Macharia, currently on a season long loan deal with second tier outfit FC Talanta.

Born in the city of Nairobi on January 10th 1999, Macharia’s prowess had been spotted at a tender age but had to go through a rough patch to reach his current place. He went through school at Thika based Itito Primary until 2012 before joining Lang’ata based Malezi School for his high school education.

“I started playing football at a tender age but then it was more like a hobby.

I fell in love with the game as I grew and it is in my secondary school that I realized it was already part of me.”

While at Malezi, Macharia represented the school in the secondary school games until the district level. The school was a minor in the region comprised of then giants Lang’ata High and Olympic High but surprised many, the school then under the tutelage of youth coach Bernard Omondi by reaching the quarter finals. He also happened to have travelled to Denmark for a ten day camp in April 2014.

Challenges at Malezi forced the rising start out of the school and sought refuge at Rongai based Laiser Hill in June 2014 registering for International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) which he sat for in June 2016.

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JOHN MACHARIA

“It was not easy at Malezi because despite a good accommodation by the school, we were not exposed well enough. The only fare tour we had was in Denmark didn’t fulfil our ambitions of studying and playing in Europe as we just went for an exhibition tour. However, the few games we played and the coaching skills we gained have come to help in my development,” he says.

Macharia’s career gained momentum at Laiser Hill where he helped the school to two back to back national finals; losing to Passenga Secondary in 2015 at Machakos Boys before beating Barding High to the boys football title in 2016 at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

“It was last year while in the national school ball games that I started being approached by different teams both in the second tier and the Kenyan Premier League(KPL) but I had to wait until I finished my education to make a decision,” Macharia notes.

The same year saw him earn a call up to the National team U20 and made his debut in the 2017 Africa U20 Nations Cup away to Sudan.

He later featured against South Africa, Senegal and Egypt U20 in international friendly games.

“I always had this feeling that at one time I will play for my country Kenya and thank God I managed to get a call up to the junior team where I earned four caps.”

His name was now among the football circles with clubs coming calling for his signature. AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia Youth, Thika United among others all started courting the player while in school and after. While he admitted that committing to any suitor would have jeopardized his schooling, the young midfielder professed they were some offers that almost altered his stance, a decision that made him commit to Kariobangi Sharks two months before sitting for his IGCSE. “2016 was a good year for me and I felt everything was moving on first.

From being in Laiser Hill reserve team in 2015 to being one of the key members of the team was just beyond my dreams considering the talent that was on at disposal.

“We won titles last year and the suitors were with me everywhere I went and it was hard to ignore them since I wanted to compete my education. I settled for Kariobangi Sharks after thorough consultations and this was due to the fact that I wanted to concentrate on my studies and tell the suitors that I already had a team,” Macharia notes.

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hard and walking through the corridors of Camp Nou or The Emirates will be the epitome of my career,” Macharia opines.

He looks up to the inspiration of Gor Mahia’s Francis Kachi Kahata and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, “ever since I have always admired Katchi’s playing style, there’s a time I met him and shared the same sentiments with him to the extent that he keeps encouraging me whenever we meet. For Ozil, he is one of the best number tens I always admire.”

Finishing his IGSCE education was something of a satisfaction to him and as 2017 began, Macharia knew he was to feature in the nation’s top flight after inking a two year deal with Sharks. The young star admits he had to look for a team where he could play regularly after the signing that Sharks made in January.

“The truth is I was a young boy coming from school and breaking straight into the first team was going to be hard considering many things that I don’t want to divulge as at now. But I got to thank coach Kanu (William Muluya), the Sharks coach for believing in me. I had to look for a loan deal somewhere and many suitors came again but I settled for FC Talanta because they had just appointed John Kamau whom I had worked with in the national team,” Macharia remarks.

On his chances at Talanta, Macharia says he was taking each game at a time with his main aim to cement a starting spot in his team and shine above the rest.

“I have worked with Kamau and he is someone who believes in the youth and I am confident if I work hard I will get games here. My main aim is to cement my place in the team. I will return to Sharks after my loan spell here elapses and I hope I can leave a mark there too.

“I started playing football at a tender age but then it was more like a hobby. I fell in love with the game as I grew and it is in secondary school that I realized I wanted to persue it professionally.”

John Macharia

“My ambition is to one day play in one of the best teams in Europe.

I am a Barcelona and Arsenal die

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JOHN MACHARIA

“My ambition is to one day play in one of the best teams in Europe. I am a Barcelona and Arsenal die hard and walking through the corridors of Camp Nou or The Emirates will be the epitome of my career,”

Follow Vincent Opiyo on Twitter: @vincentsopiyo

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KPL

SUPERSPORT

S U P E R S P O R T E X I T S K E N YA IN A RUSH, BUT WHY? SUPERSPORT – KPL DE-LINK: WHO GAINS, WHO LOSES AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES OPEN UP?

By Patrick Korir “Long Cold Winter”. One famous album released by Cinderella in 1988.

In there was the pick of nine songs; Don’t know what you got till it’s gone.

Tribunal gave submissions to a case where the KPL had filed a suit against FKF not to have the top league from 16 to 18 teams.

It stung the airwaves then, and renditions of all sought sprang around in years to follow to rub the message home.

In issuing finality to that case, the Tribunal saw no reason as to why there was objection to the expansion thereby giving an 18-team a nod.

In added decisions they recognized KPL as the agent mandated by their principal FKF to run the premier league on a kind off landlordtenant engagement. It was then clear that the final buck in running the game locally rested with FKF.

The recent contract termination takes the game miles back leaving stakeholders questioning for just how long will the game be blackouted out?

As Cinderella chorused, it may not be easy to get back though the wheels to remedy the mess, driven by FKF are in motion.

The sudden Supersport – KPL delink after just two years into a third renegotiated five year deal signed in South Africa in December 2014 believed to be in the range of 19 million rand a year with unknown amounts each year as added incentives.

In their letter to KPL that announced their departure, Supersport, in sum, pointed out they had been duped all along by the KPL who they accuse had presented themselves as the body mandated to run the game locally.

It came to their attention when an announcement by Sports Disputes

In their defense to the debacle, KPL chose to blame it on FKF whom they accused of forcing their ‘populist’ pre-election agenda of having an 18-team league to the eventual detriment of their handin-hand union with Supersport.

Be what it may, the pay TV giants are gone and as accusations and counter accusations grow louder, pundits are digging in to pin point the true ripple effect of the cut-short.

But what led to the sudden cutshort? While many will be left to speculate to the end, it is clear that there will be those that gain and those that lose.

The loses are obvious and lengthy and sooner than later players, clubs and match officials could be facing

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the full brunt of supersports pullout.

Sources indicate the pan African pay TV giants had honored their half year obligation to the KPL for half the year. If that position is correct, KPL has funds in its coffers to sustain its functioning of the league till June. What they happens from July? Good questions to ask.

But in the event the situation is not remedied, as FKF has now been tasked to do in good time, what next? It could spell the end of grants to clubs and the flow of that; lack off can easily be deduced.

Inside info indicates that the KPL as a product was not reflecting on the Pay TV’s bottom line as the local league had little massification effect on purchase of boxes, as it was influenced more by other viewable options such as the English Premier League.

The pulling of the plug on the KPL could have further effect as

The losses

Title sponsors/club sponsors

Lead sports betting firm SportPesa became the official title sponsors of the league in early August 2015 for a period of four and a half years.

Later on they became the sponsors of Kenya’s biggest clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. With games live, they

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Time for fans to head back to the stadiums? This is certainly the opportune time. Numbers in the stands had been dwindling and with no place to hind behind the screens, fans and armchair journalists et al have little choice but to return to the grounds to follow and with the game on the screens.

With no foresable future, it is time clubs made the return of the fans beneficial to them and there will therefore be need to.

As it stands, other broadcasters are whetting their appetite and doing their pros and cons for an entry to the vacated space to FKF it is a chance to split the rights and sell them piecemeal – pay TV, online, Free to Air et al, when it comes to that eventuality.

received the perfect brand visibility.

That window of opportunity, as well as for other cub sponsors is now lost.

the local league have crossed over to other leagues, such as to Zambia, South Africa, to name but a few.

Armchair fans/journalists

Scouts from far and wide simply tuned in and followed the progress of their targets, then later enter into deals. Their shopping window has now been shut.

Days of tuning in right on time for games on air are now gone leaving the armchair fan, as well as comfortable scribes high and dry

Clubs, players and Referees, Secretariat

Out with Supersport is an end to the string purse to the Kenyan Premier league that accounted for up to 60% of their annual earnings.

When their half year recompense already in and to last till June, the true ramification of the pullout will be felt soon after as grants guarantee to clubs, and in effect to players, referees and the secretariat will be felt.

Clubs and The Secretariat could be forced to cost cut and realign accordingly in the wake of the current situation.

Player darkness

Over the recent years, players from

Gains and Opportunities

Though the loses outweigh all, there will be some measurable gains; first, FKF and the KPL will have to work together and seek an all-inclusive remedy to the damage at hand.

The two have seemingly been pulling on opposite ends. FKF can now come on board to rubber stamp contractual agreements entered by the KPL, should big brother Supersport make a return.

The finer details of the previous deals between KPL were never in the know of FKF, till the recent termination.

With space vacated by KPL from the Supersport channels, the Zambian league has seen more games go up live, a true beneficiary of the demise of Kenya’s deal.

Don’t know what you got till it’s gone, Don’t know what it is I did so wrong, Now I know what I got It’s just this song And it ain’t easy to get back Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

GOAL IN HOLE

GOAL IN HOLE In late May of 1968, English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion made a tour of East Africa where they played six games, against Kenya and an East Africa combined side included, within a span of three weeks.

By Patrick Korir Their trip to Kenya was mooted as early as February of that year but by the time they arrived in Kenya they were not only an English top side, but the FA Cup Champions having beaten Everton to the trophy in mid-May.

Different Effect On the 1st of June, the team faced off with Kenya at the parked City Stadium, a game they went on to win 2-1.

However, an incident early in the game may have had a different effect on the game had it not been for the honesty of Kenya’s dependable winger Joe Kadenge.

As reported by the Nation, Kadenge unleashed an unstoppable right foot shot in the 21st minute that went all the way into goal past keeper Sheppard.

His thunderous strike saw local referee Bill Peet point straight to the centre, having allowed the ‘goal, for the game to restart, amidst protest from West Brom players.

Pleased But in a turn of events, Kadenge walked the referee to the goal and pointed out a hole in the side netting where his shot had gone through, therefore confirming it was not a

goal. With shame in his face, ref Peet ruled the ‘goal’ as no goal.

His honestly surprised many and it handed him a thumps up from West Brom skipper Graham Williams right after the game.

“This was a fine gesture by a great player. My entire side was pleased with Kadenge’s honestly.

I doubt if any other player would have admitted it” he said

Converted The game remained locked 0-0 by the break but seven minutes after the restart, Ali Kajo, returning to the National team after four years, latched on to a rebound off Kadenge’s shot to score the first of the game.

West Brom leveled matters seven minutes to time when striker Tony Brown slotted home a penalty awarded after Ronnie Rees was brought down in the box.

Brown doubled matters six minutes later when he converted a cross from midfielder Graham Lovett.

Kenya then coached by former skipper Elijah Lidonde started out with George Karioki in goal but was later replaced by James Siang’a for the second half. Matayo, later replaced by John Ambani, Walter

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Molo, Samson Odore, Daniel Anyanzwa, Joe Kadenge, John Nyawanga, Moses Wabwayi all featured in the game.

Facilitated Other than Williams, Brown and Rees, West Brom also fielded Ian Collard, Asa Hartford, John Talbut and Allan Merrick.

Header specialist Jeff Astle, who scored the lone goal to hand West Brom the FA Cup against Everton 13 days before the Kenya match missed the game due to a strained muscle.

A week later, West Brom completed a double over Kenya after seeing off the same side 4-3 at the same venue in the last game of the their tour which was facilitated by sponsorship from East Africa Airways, Nation/Taifa, British National Export Council and Guinness.

Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

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KPL

SOCIAL MEDIA

ARE KENYANS CLUBS LAGGING BEHIND?

By Zachary Oguda Five years back in Kenya and not many clubs were on social media be it Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Today, the number has increased across clubs in Kenya with as low as Division One clubs embracing the use of this platform to not only inform the public about the club’s activities but to give an insight of what they are made of.

It is a common knowledge that the club with a huge fan base will attract more followers and this provides them with the potential for each post, video or tweet to be seen by a huge audience. The problem that comes with such a fan base is to keep them posted almost on a daily basis.

For instance if you have a look at Gor Mahia, they are currently the best followed team in the country with a Facebook followership of nearly 300,000.

Investment Many believe that the Kenyan clubs still have a long way to go in terms social media as this noble idea requires investment that many are not willing to dip their fingers into.

High quality journalism and the distribution of information as they trickle in requires investment and it is one major sector established clubs have taken seriously.

In the country, a few clubs have embraced the use of social media with others slowly following the trend. In as far as much needs to be done, there are a few teams that have stood out and are slowly building trust among opposition fans with the kind of job they have exhibited on their social media platforms. In the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Ulinzi

Stars are leading in this category with Muhoroni Youth and Tusker FC, albeit still lagging behind, slowly making a mark in this area.

In nation’s second tier the National Super League (NSL), no team comes close to the social media duty than Palos FC. Having fully functional YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, the Kisumu-based side is doing way better than most of the KPL clubs and it is evident they are making a great impact with the kind of trust and the fan base that has been growing as days unfold. They have their competitors in this area in Wazito FC whose good work cannot be ignored.

Down in the lower leagues, just as Palos FC, Langata Gremio is one of the teams with the best social media platforms in the country.

Though they are yet to build a huge fan base as their other counterparts, the club promptly informs its fans and followers about their activities and has used social media as one avenue for sourcing for funds to help build their team.

Information Just as Gremio who uses their social media platforms to source for funds, one wonders what kind of information and content are club’s allowed to share. The key point in any social media account is for the respective clubs to build a content that attracts attention whether by adding graphics or editing pieces that will grab the attention of anyone who bumps on the account but how can this be achieved?

In clubs with established social media platforms, they make a catch more so during match days. Not many people will walk to the stadium more so in games outside the major towns and

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this is where the trick is. Established clubs gives minute to minute updates and this attracts more viewers. This is they will add polls (eg who you think deserved the man of the match accolade), graphics accompanied by photos and comments from coaches after the game, these mostly accompanied by videos.

Albeit not embraced here, established club will always bring you the behind the scene content and this is where club’s without much resources make a kill. All they need is to attend their trainings, bring the players or coaches interviews. Parade a training video or the funny moments in a session or after the match. Call them behind the scenes incident-things that are only exclusive to the clubs.

With the evolving of technology, a once in a while live training or game proceedings is another way of building a base. Not many are willing to embrace this due to different factors in the country but those who have tried it are getting positive feedbacks. Providing a club feature story or engaging the fans once in a while on having questionnaires and providing goodies that include merchandise after the questions is another sure way of building a fan base.

Impact Among the named clubs, all have made an impact with the use of social media in one way or the other. Gor Mahia with a big club mentality uses their platforms to clarify information in a way or the other. When they decide to mute, outrage from their fan base has been louder; a clear indication that the social media team is a dependable branch of the club. The same can be said of their rivals AFC Leopards.

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As for Palos FC, it is a matter of building a broader fan base considering they are just being properly introduced into the Kenyan football scene. They have managed to nab a few faithful through their campaigns of enticing fans with goodies and having a thorough work on their platforms and no one can ignore the presence they are having both in the NSL and the country’s football scene in general; so is Wazito.

As for Langata Gremio, theirs is to inform the public about their presence and social media has adequately done that. Despite being at the lower end of the established football tiers, they have made seemingly sure strides.

How clubs with social media presence in Kenya are doing: Gor Mahia Facebook Followers-294K Twitter Followers: 37.8K Instagram Followers: 16K AFC Leopards Facebook Followers: 33K Twitter Followers: 20.9K Instagram Followers: 1.6K Ulinzi Stars Facebook Followers: 10K Twitter Followers: 4.6K Palos FC Facebook Followers: 2.5K Twitter Followers: 416 Instagram Followers: 341 Wazito FC Facebook Followers: 10K Twitter Followers: 817 Instagram Followers: 665 Langata Gremio Facebook Followers: 1.3K Twitter Followers: 1K Instagram Followers: 836 Special mention to Sony Sugar, Kariobangi Sharks, Nzoia Sugar FC and Vihiga United (screen grabs of their pages) Follow Zachary Oguda on Twitter: @zaxoguda

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OPINION

BETTING CONTROL

Betting Control:

Why the proposed Gambling Bill should not be assented

By Wazito FC The proposed move by Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury Henry Rotich to increase tax on betting, gaming and lotteries has sent shock waves to the sporting fraternity, threatening to destabilize a growing sector.

It is this move that led Betting Company Bradley Limited, in which SportPesa has major shareholding, to move to court to challenge the proposal. The firm, which is responsible for the Pambazuka National Lottery, claimed in court papers that Rotich overstepped his mandate by seeking to raise taxes from the current 7.5 per cent (betting), 12 per cent (lottery), 15 per cent (gaming) and 15 per cent (competition). It argues that powers to review taxes in the betting industry are only given to the betting control and licensing board and not the treasury.

If the proposal is actualized, an estimated Ksh350 million yearly investment in sponsorship to football clubs and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) risks being wiped out. This lays bare the need to relook into the proposal devoid of emotions.

Betting has more exposure to tax increases, alongside cigarettes and alcohol, popularly known as sin taxes avenues of the economy. For betting, KRA Commissioner General John Njiraini told MPs in February that eight of the 25 licensed betting companies had paid a total of Sh4.7 billion in the financial years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. In a presentation to Parliament’s Labour and Social Welfare Committee regarding the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming (Amendment) Bills 2016, he said other taxes from the industry such as PAYE, VAT and income tax are projected to more than double by the end of the current financial year 2016/2017 – from Sh1.2 billion last year to about Sh3.4 billion.

Always short of money, lawmakers look eagerly for taxes they can safely raise — and betting is an easy choice.

This predilection is reinforced by a widely held myth of betting superprofitability. Betting companies, everyone thinks, are magical money pumps exempt from the economic laws that govern other activities — and able to pay whatever taxes are needed to make budgets balance (at least on paper), no matter how high.

Tax revenues satisfy government’s immediate fiscal needs, and their importance is obvious. But there are economic needs as well, and Betting, Gaming and Lotteries make important contributions to the economy, especially the sports industry.

quandary that had threatened their very existence. The two are now able to sustain their big budgets, courtesy of Sportpesa’s sponsorship.

Adverse Effects

Invested capital creates jobs. As gaming privilege tax rates rise, gaming-related employment falls.

The earlier tax rate of 7.5 percent attracted capital investment worth billions of shillings in the sports industry. That invested capital employs thousands of people in betting companies and facilities. There are marketing teams, tech employees, customer service reps, security departments, accounting departments and coders, to name just a few positions betting companies must fill.

In order to understand the adverse effects of the proposed 50 percent tax on the gross revenue collected by betting companies, let’s look at some of their notable positive contributions to the sports industry: Tax rates and capital investment Capital investment and gaming privilege tax rates are inversely related. As tax rates rise, capital investment falls. Following the entry of Sportpesa in the Kenyan market a couple of years ago, unprecedented cash injection in the sports industry – especially in football – has translated to greater strides in developing the game at the grassroots. Most of all, the Kenyan Premier League has received the much needed financial boost.

Some of the beneficiaries of Sportpesa betting sponsorship are the Kenya Premier League (KPL), Kenya Rugby Union and the Super Eight League. Individual clubs have also benefited from the cash injection, none bigger than traditional rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, who previously had faced financial

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Other players such as Betway and Betika have followed Sportpesa’s footsteps, and currently have sponsorship contracts with Mathare United and Sofapaka FC, respectively.

Lotto, on the other hand, has sponsored Posta Rangers FC. So, what happens when the betting companies that are investing in sports are strangled financially by excessive taxes?

Tax Rates and Jobs

Moreover, these are not small-time operations working out of a left over laundromat. These companies have headquarters and even satellite offices that require real people to show up to work. Then there are the ancillary jobs that spring up around any online gambling site.

From affiliates, to writers, to web developers: online betting is not just a product, it’s an industry.

Tax rates and the community When they set tax rates, lawmakers effectively decide the kind of gaming facility that is built. High tax rates discourage capital investment and

job creation. High tax rates trade jobs for short-term government revenues. Tax rates below 20 percent maximize job creation and capital investment while still generating substantial government revenue. Often, single digit tax rates in large betting markets like Kenya’s, makes the development of labour intensive, and diversified entertainment properties possible.

Lawmakers electing single-digit rates are putting economic development (and diversified entertainment) as well as long-term government revenues first, and short-term government revenues second. They are saying they want job creation and sports development as dispersed parts of their communities.

Over time, sports has been an area that has been seriously neglected by the government. Betting companies have made significant attempts in funding Kenyan sports. Thanks to betting sponsorship, fans have streamed back into stadiums; players are paid good salaries; and the quality of football has risen, as evidenced by Kenya’s latest FIFA ranking. All these developments face the risk of being eroded if the 50 percent tax rate sees the light of day.

Granted that the philosophy for taxing betting, lotteries and gaming revenues is partly to discourage gambling. However, the problem is not the practice. Those who participate, estimated by Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to be five million Kenyans, are aware they can both win and lose and when they lose, they still bet. Equally is the reality that sin taxes have hardly prevented the acts from being committed.

The article was collated through Wazito FC players Eric Odhiambo a communication student at University of Nairobi and a midfielder at Wazito FC; Wycliffe Wanjie a dealer at Consolidated Bank, and a striker at Wazito FC and Dennis Gicheru a law graduate from Kenyatta University and a defender at Wazito FC.

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LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

ALLAN WANGA

End of the game?

ALLAN WANGA speaks on the need to make hay while the sun shines

R

By Patrick Korir

etirement terrifies sports stars. It is like Wile E. Coyote falling off the cliff in his ambitious chase of Road Runner in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. The thud at the end of the fall is proportionate to the length of the career. The longer it is the harder the end game seems to be.

It could be worse for a high profile player who acquired fame and status in the game while playing at the highest level, be it club or internationally. While some players prepare for that finality, most live in the dark and never see it coming.

They play on and on until they can play no more and when it comes

to the end they literally end too.

But what if the retirement comes early, say due to injury? Or for other reasons, what is a player’s preparedness for life after football?

Allan Wanga’s story Allan Wetende Wanga, a renowned striker who has had a stellar career since bursting to the top flight scene in 2007 with Tusker FC talks of the need to plan for life after football while still active on the pitch as a fall back to whatever eventuality may happen.

Wanga, who has graced some of the best leagues in Africa that include Kenya, Tanzania, Angola and Sudan, in Eastern Europe – Azerbaijan as

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well as Asia in Vietnam, says that other than planning for football thereafter, there is need to also plan for what is being earned.

“Football as a career has its span - however long it may be it will finally come to an end one day."

"A footballer therefore must understand that and prepare accordingly else they will find themselves in a bad place when it all ends,” he adds.

As a father of a young family, Wanga shudders at the thought of the day football will fail to take care of his bills and has worked around it accordingly over the years.

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The former Lolwe FC player who arrived at Tusker in early 2007and became a household name in just his first season in the top flight, winning the league at his first time of asking, has carefully invested monies earned from football in the right places.

Having secured a home from his earnings over time, he has since gone into business and now runs an entertainment spot as well as a fitness centre in Rongai amongst several other investments.

“Over the years I followed and admired many players. Some of them took a turn for the worst when they stopped earning from playing and that scared me a little. From those examples I promised myself that whatever I earned will be put to good use to secure my life after I quit the game,” said the man who moved to Angola’s Petro de Luanda at the end of the 2007 season.

“End of playing does not mean end of earning,” he says before clarifying; “Anyone who wants to wait to retire first then plan what to do next is bound to get into serious trouble.

Planning what to do next in good time makes the difference,” Said Wanga who helped Petro de Luanda

“Football as a career has its span. However long it may be, it will finally come to an end one day."

- Allan Wanga

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LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

ALLAN WANGA

“Anyone who wants to wait to retire first then plan what to do next is bound to get into serious trouble.

Planning what to do next in good time makes the difference,”

to the Angolan league title in his first year in 2008 - the first since 2001, and a second straight title the year after.

“At your prime you get carried away because the earnings could be good.

You easily assume it will be the same all the time and you spend freely.

But that state could change any day and as much as we may want to play for as long as possible it will come to an end one day. Planning for life after football is important.”

Added the Aberbijan Cup winner in the 2009/10 season while on a six month stint with FC Baku.

footballers, for the year ended 2016 as done in collaboration with The University of Manchester on Working Conditions in Professional Football, many players globally took an enormous risk in dropping education for football, and that risk never pays off for all.

Obviously the options are diverse as they can be. While some recoil back to pursue professions dictated by what they schooled, others stay within the game to take up coaching, administrative, refereeing roles, in the media to become analyst and/ or pundits, while many others will try their hands in the unknown.

Globally, the report that was aimed at providing a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the global football employment market, from the top leagues to the base of the professional pyramid, states that 72% of players never went beyond high school education with 10% not staying in education beyond primary school.

In Kenya, the report indicates that 23% of players are said to have gone past high school and vocational training.

Notwithstanding, as revealed in a recent report by FIFPRO - the World Players’ Union for all professional

Given the severe employment risks worldwide, Kenya included, the report says, missing out on

Exactly what can footballers do after their playing career is over?

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education is decision that many players have regretted after their dream of furthering their playing career came to an end.

With that the options of formal employment diminished, many will head the informal way. For some this becomes the beginning of struggles and frustrations and that path to the all too familiar path to the bottle for solace and to other societal vices. Many a retired Kenyan player can be identified in this corner.

Though he is calling on players to have the foresight, Wanga, whose lone goals earned Sudanese giants Al Merreikh the Kagame Cup in August 2014 and Tusker a domestic Cup in 2016 - their first after 23 years, admits the life of business has its own challenges.

Wanga, now 31, can relate to the life of football and that of business all too well. While he has achieved many successes on the pitch, he too had

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stumbles but that never deterred him.

A failed move to Georgian side in June 2010, Omani club Al Nasr in early 2013, Bidvest in South Africa in June 2015, plus a few others have all been part of his football journey.

At the end of 2013 he won the GOtv Shield with AFC Leopards and his two goals in a final against Sudan at Nyayo Stadium earned Kenya the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup final, the first in 19 years.

“I took to the direction of business early on and I must say each has its own challenges. But along the way I have learnt the dynamics of business and when I eventually call it a day from football I will be a lot wiser,” added Wanga who has been capped 47 times for Kenya since May 2007,” said the high achiever who wants to see Kenyan footballers make hay while the sun still shines.

Notably, Wanga also owns a fleet of taxis and lives in his own 3-bedroom mansion in Ongata Rongai. His story should serve as motivation to the current crop of footballers and as former Liverpool captain said in his book, footballers nowadays get paid awfully well and they only have themselves to blame if they don’t invest for the future.

Missing out on education is a decision that many players have regretted after their dream of furthering their playing career came to an end - FIFPRO

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LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

ALLAN WANGA

Nella Fitness Center came to being after a buyout of what was known as Uzima Fitness centre back in 2014.

It then underwent an interior revamp that included addition of treadmills.

The Gym that comes fully packaged with changing rooms and shower, caters for mature clientel includes an area for Aerobics.

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www.soka.co.ke

Terminal 3 is strategically situated at the Hub in Rongai. The spot provides the perfect ambiance and comes with ample sitting space and a lounge.

Attached to the fitness centre fully fledged Barber shop and a massage parlour.

It is situated opposite the Nairobi Women's Hosptial in Rongai.

Follow Patrick Korir on Twitter: @tipkorir

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SOKA CROSSWORD

AND PUZZLE

Soka Crossword 4

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