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VOL 1 | ISSUE 6
MARCH/APRIL 2017

WOMEN FOOTBALL
STAR ON THE RISE
FLORENCE
JOHN ADHIAMBO
Defying the odds to
MACHARIA inspire upcoming
footballers

THE BIG INTERVIEW

johanna
ALLAN WANGA
on how to prepare for
LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
omolo

DENNIS OLIECH
On turning down Manchester United and his football safari
 SOKA FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
MAGAZINE
SokaKenya

D
Soka_Ke

Editor-in-Chief
ennis Oliech is a football legend in Kenya and I have
Jeff Kinyanjui
always harbored this dream of his former Kenyan
Internationals playing a testimonial match against a
Staff Writers
current Kenyan Premier League players select team, just
Fabian Odhiambo
to honour him for his contributions to Kenyan football.
Terry Ouko
This, sadly, remains to be just one of those weird dreams
Vincent Opiyo
I have about the game I love so much. However at Soka, we dedicate the
Zachary Oguda
sixth issue of the magazine to him and you can read his inspiring story
from page 5.
Contributors
Samuel Gacharira
We also went to Kakamega to find out what is happening to the sleeping
Wazito FC
giants, Green Commandoes. Read about how they are silently plotting
their comeback on page 56 as well as the one on one interview with
Additional Photography
Kenyan International Johanna Omolo on page 36.
SportPicha
Maina Wambugu
Allan Wanga, the much travelled striker currently plying his trade locally
with Tusker FC knows too well that football can be unforgiving and
Design and Layout
advices players to make hay while the sun shines. Read his story on page
Faith Omudho
72.
Published By
Soka Holdings Ltd

Printed By
Enjoy the magazine and send editorial feedback to jeff@soka.co.ke
Tevins Investments Ltd

Marketing
Ms Quinter Odongo
Email: quinter@soka.co.ke
Mobile: +254 705 216 569

Admistration
Patrick Korir
Email: patrick@soka.co.ke
Mobile: +254 700 123 366
Editor-in -Chief
Office
Suite A5, Silverpoll Office Jeff Kinyanjui
Suites, Jabavu Lane,
P.O. BOX 50633 - 00100,
Nairobi - Kenya

Phone
(254) 727 443 540
(254) 700 12 33 66

Email
info@soka.co.ke

Online
www.soka.co.ke

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 3

SOKAMAGAZINE
VOL 1 | ISSUE 6 | 2017

CONTENTS 5 Dennis Oliech on turning down Man Utd

16 Kibera Black Stars profile

22 Sports Science: Next Gen Sports

working hard to introduce scientific
performance analysis in Kenya

30 The silent rise of Western

Stimas Maurice Ojwang

36 The big interview with Johanna Omolo

46 Women Football

56 The Green Commandoes

waiting for daybreak

60 Star on the rise: John Macharia

64 Supersport exits Keny

in a rush...why?

70 Why the proposed betting

control bill should not be assented

72 Allan Wanga on how to prepare for

life after football

4 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017


The story of
Dennis Oliechs
football safari
and exploits
K
By Samuel Gacharira
nock! Knock! Knock!
It is a normal
night at Mama
Oliechs 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 everybodys 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.
THE RISE www.soka.co.ke
STAR ONOLIECH
DENNIS
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
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
STAR ON
COVER STORY
THE RISE
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 Oliechs 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 Oliechs 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.
Oliechs family asked me to help
them negotiate the contract with
Al Arabi but I declined because I
felt it wasnt 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 NEC-
Nijmegen in July 2002, insists he
made the right decision to move
to Qatar and there is no bad
blood between him and Munro.
5
STAR ON THE RISE STAR ON THE RISE

6 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 DENNIS OLIECH www.soka.co.ke
COVER STORY

DENNIS OLIECH FACT FILE helped a lot of players in Kenya. I

boarded a plane for the first time
at the tender age of ten courtesy
DOB: 2 Feb 1985
of him. Majority of the players from
Height: 5 ft 11 1/2 in Kenya have passed through his
hands. It did not matter where you
CLUB CAREER came from Eastleigh, Kariobangi,
Huruma or Mathare. Bob treated
SEASONS TEAM us equally and ensured we got the
2001-2003 Mathare United best football training, said Oliech
2003-2005 Al Arabi (Qatar) with a strong hint of appreciation.

2005-2007 Nantes (France) His relationship with Munro and

2007-2012 Auxerre (France) Mathare Youth Sports Association
2013-2015 Ajaccio (France) (MYSA) stems back to 1995 where
as a 10 year old he turned out for
2015 Dubai CSC (Qatar) Sakayonsa in the Pumwani zone
NATIONAL TEAM CAPS/GOALS Under 12 league. His natural ability
to score goals stood out from an
Kenya U23: 4, 3 goals (% 0.75 per match) early age and he made history by
making it to the MYSA team that
Kenya: 72, 34 goals (% 0.47 per match) played in the Norway Cup for two
consecutive years-1996 and 1997.

FIRST/LAST CAPS/SPAN Born a Winner

Age First Cap: 17 yr 91 d 4- 5-2002 vs. Nigeria
Dennis scored in almost every
0-3 (Coach Reinhardt Fabisch)
game at the Norway Cup. He was
Age Last Cap: 30 yr 216 d 6- 9-2015 vs. Zambia very strong on the ball and he
1-2 (Coach Bobby Williamson always had this burning desire to
National Team Career: 13 yr 125 d score every time he stepped on
First National goal: v Togo at Kasarani on 7-9-2002 the pitch. He was born a winner
3-0. (Coach Jacob Ghost Mulee) because his star started shining at
a very tender age. You could easily
First (of five) brace(s): vs Eritrea on 6-12-2002 4-1 tell that he was going to have a
bright future, underlines Leonard
MOST MEMORABLE GOALS Saleh who was the overall coach
1: Scored winning goal after a coast to coast burst that in charge of all MYSA teams at
handed Kenya 2002 CECAFA challenge Cup final at the National both editions of the Norway Cup.
Stadium, Dar on 14 Dec 2002. Kenya beat the hosts 3-2
Indeed Oliech lived up to the
2. His powerful rocket on the turn that floored Cape Verde at the expectations of many and grew
Nyayo National Stadium on July 5, 2003 in the sixth and final qualifier to become a deadly forward who
that sent Kenya to the 2004 AFCON, the first appearance in 12 years. combined his rare amalgam of terrific
pace, crisp finishing and eye for
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE goal to torment defenders at will.
He announced his arrival to the big
Team Games Goals stage in the 2002 CECAFA Senior
Challenge Cup where he emerged top
Auxerre 7 0
scorer with five goals to his name.

HARAMBEE STARS W-D-L ratio His last goal in that competition

ensured Kenya emerged 3-2
Matches Won Draw Lost For Against Points Percentage winners over hosts Tanzania in
72 30 16 26 95 74 76 52.78 the final in the process avenging a
0-1 loss to the same opposition in
the opening Group A match. Jacob
Ghost Mulee, the Harambee Stars
At that time I had a deal with Hussein Swaleh so I decided to take the first
coach then, reckons that Oliechs
one that came my way. I have a lot of respect for Bob Munro because he has
attitude in the build up to that

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 7

STAR ON THE RISE
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 Fabischs
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
8 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
STAR ON THE RISE
Verde. Oliech, 18, steeped off the goal that ensured he maintained
bench to score the unforgettable his unbeaten record at the Moi
winner and guide Kenya to the International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
Players to watch
Every coach has his game plan and
I always wanted to win games in the
A bright prospect, it was no surprise
second half because defenders were
when Oliech was named alongside
a bit jaded. I knew Dennis had speed
Egypts Ahmed Hossam, South Africas
so introducing him in the second
Benni McCarthy, Tunisias Najeh
half worked well. He really liked it.
Brahim, Nigerias Yakubu Aiyegbeni
and Guineas Pascal Feindouno
Against Cape Verde it was a do or die
in January 2004 as the players
match. If we did not win we would
to watch in the AFCON finals.
not qualify and Ghost would just
be another addition to the long list
His performance in the 3-0 win
of coaches who have managed the
over Burkina Faso in the final group
National team. I also knew if I did not
match, although eclipsed by Kenyas
win that match the federation would
early exit from the competition,
not pay me my eight months salary.
offered a glimpse of what Oliech
could offer at his destructive best.
In the second half, the game was
The 18 year old prodigy set up
locked at 0-0 and I decided to play
Emmanuel Ake and John Baraza
my last card. I told Dennis that this
before bagging a goal of his own.
was his chance to show what he
was made off and he repaid my trust
The whole team started slowly
with an unbelievable goal. That goal
but by the time we played the
earned him the name The Menace
third game they had picked up
because he rarely missed chances,
very well. Unfortunately it was
recounts Ghost of the memorable
too late to proceed to the next
 DENNIS OLIECH www.soka.co.ke
COVER STORY

OLIECH'S NATIONAL TEAM STATISTICS

Type Games Goals A true patriot, Oliech displayed his
unwavering love for Kenya in late
World Cup Qualifier 24 15 January 2004 when Qatar offered
African Cup Qualifier 23 6 $ 6 Million in exchange for his
Friendlies 14 7 citizenship but he stayed put and
pledged his allegiance to Kenya.
CECAFA Cup 6 5
African Nations Cup 3 1 Citizenship Switch
Castle Cup 2 0
Total 72 34 I am a Kenyan and I am proud to
be one. I was young at that time
COUNTRY/GOALS COACHES/GOALS but there is no way I could change
my citizenship. Football is not all
Counrty Goals Coaches Goals about money. It is about playing with
passion for your country. I have seen
Angola 1 Jacob Ghost Mulee 18 some of our Kenyan athletes being
Botswana 2 Mohammed Kheri 1 denied their freedom when they
Burkina Faso 1 Bernard Lama 1 change their citizenship because their
passports are confiscated such that
Burundi 1 Francis Kimanzi 7
they cannot even travel yet they have
Cape Verde 1 Twahir Muhidin 1 a lot of money. I have no regrets at
Eritrea 2 James Nandwa 2 all about that decision, remarked the
father of two, Miguel and Joseph.
Ghana 1 Zedekiah Otieno 2
Guinea 4 Henri Michel 1 As he rose through the ranks to
Guinea Bissau 1 Antoine Hey 1 cement his place as the alpha striker
Libya 1 Libya 1 at Harambee Stars, Oliechs stock
in Europe was also on an upward
Malawi 1 34 trajectory and he switched clubs in
Mauritania 1 France following the relegation of
in January 2006 bringing to an Nantes to Ligue 2 at the end of the
Nigeria 1
end his two year stay at Al Arabi. 2007 season. Initially loaned out
Seychelles 3 to topflight side AJ Auxerre, Oliech
South Africa 1 KFF Row proved his worth at his new home
Sudan 2 chalking up 26 appearances and
Here, Oliechs star began to shine and netting thrice in his first season to
Tanzania 4
he became the center of attraction earn himself a permanent move.
Togo 1 at Harambee Stars whenever he
Trinidad & 1 was called up for National team AJ Auxerre Move
Tobago duty. Now a celebrity of sorts, Oliech
rubbed shoulders the wrong way with In his second season at Auxerre,
Tunisia 1
federation officials when he refused Oliech grew into a first team regular
Uganda 1 to board a plane to Guinea for an with head coach Jean Fernandez
Zimbabwe 1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June preferring to field him on the right
2005 over unpaid dues ($1700). side of his attacking triumvirate. The
34
Kenyan skipper still delivered goals
In Europe there are no delays in and assists alike completing the
stage. Dennis had made a name payment. The club makes sure you next two seasons with a combined
for himself and everybody wanted get your money in time. We had tally of 8 goals in 66 appearances.
to see this exciting talent from a problem with payment at the
Kenya. He was a young boy with National team because the federation His heroics aided AJ Auxerre to a
impossible guts and he crowned it kept on giving us false promises. I third place finish in the 2009/10
all with his good performance in was not refunded my air ticket twice campaign and a shot at the
the AFCON finals, Ghost told Soka. and that is why I refused to go for Europes premier club competition-
that match. I could no longer take -the prestigious UEFA Champions
It was not long before Europe came their excuses, explains Oliech. Leaguein the following season.
calling for Kenyas hottest property Despite losing by a solitary goal to
and Oliech signed for French Ligue Despite the numerous challenges at Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, Auxerre
1 club Nantes in October 2005 the National team, Oliechs loyalty to overcame the one goal deficit to
before making the switch official his mother country was undoubted. win 2-0 at home and emerge 2-1

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 9

COVER STORY
winners on aggregate in the 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
We really worked hard in that season
to finish inside the Champions
League positions. It was a good
feeling playing in the Champions
League for the first time in my career.
This was one of my best experiences
in football because every player
wants to play against the big players
and big clubs. The Champions League alongside Macdonald Mariga
offers this chance and it was a dream
come true, pointed out Oliech.
While playing in the
Champions League provided
a sense of perspective for
Oliech, the real uplift from
that experience was the fact
that Jean Fernandez charges
had endeared themselves not
only to the AJ Auxerre faithful but
also the clubs hierarchy. So strong
was their influence that Oliech, who
was a key member of Fernandez
side, successfully convinced the
technical bench to hand three
Kenyan players--Osborne Monday,
Kevin Kamduu Kimani and Thomas
Heskey Wanyamaa trial at Auxerre.
Giving back
He played a big role during the
entire period of our trials. While the
other players who were on trials were
hosted at the club house, he hosted
us in his own house. At home he used
to advise us on what the coaches
wanted from us and often gave us
useful tips about his philosophy.
He even went out of his way to ask
the coaching staff to bear with us
because we were in a completely
new environment and needed more
time to adapt. He was very influential
because the coaches heeded his
10 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
DENNIS OLIECH
advice and even extended our trial His tenure as the Harambee Stars
period by two weeks, revealed skipper was unceremoniously cut
Heskey who attended the month-long short in 2013 when Algerian born
trials alongside Kimani back in 2011. tactician Adel Amrouche stripped
him off the captaincy on disciplinary
Oliech is a real gentleman. He hosted grounds. However there is no love
me at his place during the trials and lost between him and Amrouche who
gave me everything I needed. The he describes as a special coach.
trials went on smoothly because
the club was very impressed by me As a captain I have to be the leader
just like Oliech had recommended. of the team. If things are not in order
Unfortunately the team was going then I have to talk about it. We had
through some financial challenges some issues in the team but finally
and could not add another foreigner we solved them. Adel is one of the
to their ranks therefore I was not best coaches Kenya has had. He is
signed, said Monday who now a good coach and he is more like a
features for Kariobangi Sharks in father to his players. He normally has
the Kenyan Premier League (KPL). that personal connection with his
players and he really helped Kenyan
His rise to a revered forward in players by taking them abroad. I
France earned him the armband at think he can do more if he comes
Harambee Stars where he was now back to Kenya, pointed out the all-
looked upon to provide guidance time Harambee Stars top scorer.
to the upcoming youngsters. Looking back at his career that
The best player I have seen in Kenya is Marcelo (Erick Ouma). 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.- Dennis Oliech
saw him turn out for AJ Ajaccio in
Captain Fantastic his twilight years before finally
hanging his boots at international
Oliech was a phenomenal because level in 2016, Oliech laments over
he always led the team from the Kenyas limited appearances at
front. After turning professional most the Africa Cup of Nations during
players looked up to him and you his era at the National team.
could see that he commanded respect
from the team. I salute him because Few Professional Players
he was a natural leader, offers Ghost
who gave the go ahead for the I was lucky I did not suffer too
captaincy change from Robert Mambo many injuries during my career but
to Oliech in his second stint as the I was disappointed that Kenya only
National team head coach in 2010. qualified for the AFCON finals only
once during my time. If you look
Whenever Oliech was not in the at my age-mates from countries
team there was a lot of tension like Ghana they have done like
in the team because he was our four or five. We did not have many
main man. When he started there professional players to help us
was a lot of confidence because qualify for such tournaments.
he made it easier for us. We would
just give the ball to him and he The problem with Kenya is that
would do his thing, emphasized we only have two or four players
Monday who played alongside who we can talk about. Almost 90%
Oliech in the National team. of our National team should be
comprised of professional players. It
does not matter which league you

are playing in. It is a big concern
that we have the same problem
because we do not have the right
structures to feed our national
team, regrets Oliech who singled
out Guineas Bobo Balde as the
toughest defender he played against.
As he juggles his post-retirement
time between managing his familys
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.
Oliechs 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 tally10 goals in
25 capsis anything to go by.
www.soka.co.ke
"I have never seen a player Eric Marcelo Ouma
who believes in himself like While Olungas performances for
Oliech. When we travelled Harambee Stars have left his name
on the lips of many local football
to Nigeria for a friendly enthusiasts just like his predecessor
over a decade ago, Oliechin his
match, he kept on asking parting shot--insists that former Gor
me if Taribo West would Mahia left back Eric Marcelo Ouma
is the player to watch in future.
play because he wanted
to take him on yet he was The best player I have seen in Kenya
is Marcelo. I tried to talk to him so
just a 17 year old then." that I could connect him with my
agent and take him to Europe but
- Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee 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
Promising Olunga as he expressed his admiration for
the 20 year old currently attached to
At age of 17, 18 or 19 you have to
Georgian top tier club Kolkheti Poti.
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.
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
Oliechs position, Ghost--who
coincidentally worked with both
strikers at a tender age--believes
that it will take time before Olunga
matches Oliechs success.
Both of them have different qualities. Dennis Oliech now
Olunga is not as fast as Dennis but
he offers something extra because works as a Brand
he can score from the left, right and Ambassador for Betway
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 Follow Samuel Gacharira
Dennis ability, advised the Liberty on Twitter: @SamuelGacharira
Professionals Academy Director.
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 11
COVER STORY DENNIS OLIECH

12 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 www.soka.co.ke

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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 13

STAR ON THE
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CLUB PROFILE KIBERA BLACK STARS

16 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 www.soka.co.ke

Name:
Kibera Black Stars
Football Club

Founded:
1980s

Trophies:
KIKO Cup 1997 2007,
NPL champions 2014, FKF Div
Kiko cup is 1997 and 2002 champs
National Div One champs 2016

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 17

CLUB PROFILE KIBERA BLACK STARS

18 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 www.soka.co.ke

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 countrys second
tier. Its 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, fetch means of transport to
match venues - surprisingly as this were games within
Nairobi, but still they couldnt make to all matches.

Help from unlikely source

Its 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 teams savior and he couldnt have
come at the right time as the team was struggling to
survive relegation. His presence, he says was attracted
by one of the teams fans, Victor Oriedo AKA Oriedoman
on a day he was making visits in one of the second
biggest slum in Africa after South Africas 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 19

CLUB PROFILE
decade was elected the best club
of the year in Kano in 2002 and the
best amateur team in Nigeria in 2003.
Its the same achievements that has
derived him to throw his shilling in
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.
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
thats 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.
He doesnt not only want to see
Black Stars record success on the
pitch but also outside hence taking
players through French language
lessons at Allianz 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. Its very important to give
young players the opportunity to
develop. We should at least have
20 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
KIBERA BLACK STARS
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.
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 teams 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.
For now we are supporting the
team through our own pockets but
in future we have lined up income
generating projects. Very soon we
shall launch our primary source of
funds to drive the teams 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 Childrens 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 teams veteran
players opines that theres 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 teams
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.
 www.soka.co.ke

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.
Its 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 teams 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 teams 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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 21

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS NEXT GENERATION

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

T
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 Republics 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.

22 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017


Three years after that trip, he was
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 companys 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.
Next Generation
Sports is a forerunner
of Performance Analysis
in sports, not only in
Kenya, but across Africa
A stint at Nakuru All Stars football
team, coupled with a memorable
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
couldnt 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
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
www.soka.co.ke
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
23
PERFOMANCE ANAYLYSIS NEXT GENERATION

generates to try and predict and

minimize the onset of injuries.
Will Next Generation Sports
will create a big shift in the Sub
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 companys main
focus is to rectify this,
~ Kiptolo Boit

Follow Patrick Korir

on Twitter: @tipkorir

24 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 25

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT JAMES ORUNDU
Orundus journey to make a
mark in football derailed, but
hes back to give it one more try
T
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 Ombijis
disposal are to die for with the future
of the nations 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 Uniteds 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 nations 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 nations second tier league,
the National Super League (NSL),
six years after a two year contract
at Belgiums top tier side Germinal
Beerschot was waiting for his
signature.
He made Ombijis 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 Mulees provisional
squad for a 2012 Africa Cup of
Nations qualifier against Uganda.
26 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
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 Nairobis
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.
"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
Going by the list of his classmates
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 Uniteds
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 hes 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.
Orundus 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 duos 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.
 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."

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 27

PLAYER SPORTLIGHT JAMES ORUNDU

They were to be later recalled after

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 Belgiums top
tier sides, Germinal Beerschot (now
Beerschot AC) following trials at the
club earlier on. James Orundu in his days at AFC Leopards
person who believed much in him,co- Then came the news that I did not
Its during my time at AFC Leopards
founder Carlo Vandekerkho, who was want to hear. Scans revealed that
that I was handed a call to the
behind his stalled move to Germinal I had an abdominal infection and
national Under 20 team for the
Beerschot, recalled him as he said needed an operation. I have to thank
AFCON Under 20 Qualifiers and we
Orundu had potential and a great Zico because despite knowing my
did well although we did not progress
future. condition he roped me to Sony and
to the latter stages. Joining Sofapaka
they catered for my operation. I was
was instigated by a lot of things.
However, after the unforgettable spell their player during that time but soon
By then the team was stable and
with Sofapaka, Orundu sidestepped thereafter a new management team
although they did change coaches,
JMJ Academy to join Posta Rangers took over and terminated my contract
I have to thank coach Christopher
and Sony Sugar in a span of a year and I had to start club hunting all

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.

but was undone by what he later over again, a Orundu says.

Makhoha (RIP) for believing in me
realized was an abdominal pain that
and giving me the first taste of KPL
needed a major operation. Orundu was to land in Bandari in
football. I had a fantastic period with
2015 for a period of six months in a
coach Ezekiel Akwana who believed
I had been having running stomach bid to revive his career after a long
in the youth as well as Francis
pains for quite some time and layoff but things were just not ticking
Kimanzi but I had to leave after the
vomited most of the time with for him and after his six months stay
club terminated my contract under
hospitals visits indicating I had with the Dockers, he called it quits
unclear reasons. You know how
malaria but it was Zedekiah Otieno from football.
Kenyan teams do their things, he
(the current Gor Mahia assistant
says with a smile.
coach) then at Sony, who looked for It was a terrible time for me
me in one of the games when our watching my former team mates
Upon his release from Sofapaka, JMJ
Posta met his Sony side and advised make strides in football and I had
Academy wanted him back and one
that I go for a scan. not made any major step. It dawned
on me that maybe football wasnt

28 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017


for me and after my stint with
Bandari elapsed, I hang my boots. No
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.
ORUNDU FACT FILE:
DOB: 4 Dec 1991
School:
Football Career:
Follow Zachary Oguda
on Twitter: @zaxoguda
www.soka.co.ke
His former coach at Sharks, Mike
Amenga, a former Kenya U23 coach,
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,
He is a very
But now that he is back he needs
to have courage and he will
certainly catch up. He should not
good player who
be demoralized in anyway, said the
current Deputy Technical Director at
Football Kenya Federation.
can really help
a team. He is of
Shaban Abdalla who handled a horde
of budding players at JMJ Academy,
good character
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, and is cool
I understand injury ate up his prime
football time but from what I have
seen of him recently he has what it
minded.
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.
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
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 29
STAR ON THE RISE STAR ON THE RISE

NAME: Maurice Owino Ojwang

NICKNAME: Father
DOB: Sept 7th, 1996
POSITION: Central Defense
CLUB: Western Stima FC
FORMER CLUBS: Pro 16 (Nyalenda), Bondo United

30 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 MAURICE OJWANG'
No Longer a Prospect; The Silent Rise of
Maurice
Ojwang
C
By Fabian Odhiambo
onventionally, in
the lower tiers of
What few people football- anywhere in
the world- to attribute
a lack of progress on
dont understand is the continued loss of
good players to the higher echelons
that there is a vast of any given countrys football
leagues will always be taken in as a
good enough excuse from a coach.
pool of talented George Ondula, however, is not in
that set of coaches. He wants to see
players in the his players get fresher challenges, so
losing Maurice Ojwang to Kenyan
lower divisions of Premier League side Western Stima
FC midway through the 2015 Football
Kenya Federation (FKF) Division
Kenyan football, 1 campaign was one that ushered in
mixed feelings for him and Bondo
United Football Club to a great extent.
George Ondula
He doesnt deny the existence of
gaping inadequacies that set in on
his team soon after the departure of a
good player; he just doesnt believe
its 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).
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
www.soka.co.ke
INTERVIEW
Pools of Talent
What few people dont understand
is that there is a vast pool of talented
players in the lower divisions of
Kenyan football. Its 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, its 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 Zgolls youth
programs briefly after the German
tacticians 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
56 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 Stimas 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.
Nyabinges 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
31
 INTERVIEW MAURICE OJWANG

clean sheet at the tourneys 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, Stimas 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 Mathares
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.

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'

32 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017


Friends turned opponents: Ojwang' keeps his former teammate Kenneth Muguna, now at Gor Mahia, in check
Coach George Ondula first saw a
traditional libero when Pro 16 football
club visited Bondo United for a
friendly match back in 2013. Thats 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.
Maurice can virtually play in any
position. Ive even used him as a
wingback before, Ondula chuckles.
It may be different where he is now
(Stima) but thats 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.
August 1st 2015 was debut day for
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
isnt much different from how he
joined Bondo from Pro 16 FC.
Henry Omino had had a tough day
cracking Bondo Uniteds 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.
Of course after two years of service he
wasnt 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.
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
www.soka.co.ke
This is the last time those who follow
the local game here, in Kisumu, saw
him play in the midfield. Stima fell
0-2 to their visitors, both goals netted
after Ojwangs withdrawal. The next
time he showed up, he stood beside
Captain Joash Onyango in defense-
an idol and father figure to him.
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.
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
33
INTERVIEW
case. Benfica and Monaco, his first
ever clubs in the very few, dusty
(and now diminishing) pitches of
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
editions 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 lay-
off, 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 Ojwangs 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 Ill take that clean
sheet any day. Theres only so much
you can do when your defensive
34 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
MAURICE OJWANG
partner- and whom you look up to Maurice Ojwang has just received
in this case- is red carded with 45 his maiden call-up to the national
more minutes to play. Its like leaving team, one backed by all his previous
a baby to walk on their own just coaches some of whom feel it should
minutes after seeing them make the have in fact come early. The 20 year
first baby-steps, Ojwang recollects. old just like his idol and Kenyan
international David Owino- does not
Against Bondo United in 2015, fluff chances. He takes it and he owns
National Super League (NSL) side it. Given a chance soon, it will be his.
Palos FC needed a win to cement
top position on the log and eclipse
Vihiga Uniteds 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.
I like his ball
handling but
most of all, he
is a player who
listens and is a
fast learner.'
~ Henry Omino
The teams that eventually gained
promotion (Palos and Vihiga) truly
deserved it. One might look at it
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, Follow Fabian Odhiambo
on Twitter: @fabian_odhiambo
concludes Ondula, who is just one of
the few Football Kenya Federation
(FKF) instructors from Kisumu.
 www.soka.co.ke

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 35

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 Kenyas 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.
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 mans career but at the same time the motivator
that makes one make it or break it.

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

 www.soka.co.ke

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 37

STAR
STARON
ONTHE
THERISE
RISE MAURICESTAR ON THE RISE
OJWANG

Soka recently caught up with highly-
rated midfielder in Brussels for an
interview
When did you leave home Where was this football
(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.
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 Im from Africa and
wasnt 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

38 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 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.
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 dont 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.
easy - Ive been through a lot. Its
just like in other walks of life but Im
glad with what I have achieved.
How do you feel now that your
team has been promoted?
Im 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 wasnt 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 Ive 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
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
youre in that situation its difficult.

It is ten years later now, how would

you summarize that transition?
Its been a real struggle, its not been

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 39

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 Im from Africa and
wasnt 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?
40 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
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
 THE RISE www.soka.co.ke
STAR ONOMOLO
JOHANNA STAR ONINTERVIEW
THE RISE

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 Im from Africa and
wasnt 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


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 dont 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
youre in that situation its difficult.
It is ten years later now, how would
you summarize that transition?
Its been a real struggle, its not been
easy - Ive been through a lot. Its
just like in other walks of life but Im
glad with what I have achieved.
How do you feel now that your
team has been promoted?
Im 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 wasnt 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 Ive 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 its 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 Im still in a celebratory
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
www.soka.co.ke
mood but of course Ive 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. Ive 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 its the number of coaches
weve 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
didnt play for three games but I again
proved myself and played more.
Im 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 doesnt prefer you. My main
challenge was to always work harder
43
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.
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.

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 Im 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.
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 "In future, I
football industry, after being abroad
for ten years, what expertise do
you think you could offer?
I have a dream of what I would
would like to
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
set up my own
a norm in Europe. I think such facilities
in Kenya would help the game grow.

I would like in the future to setup my

football academy
own football academy in Dandora
where I came from. There is a lot
of talent there. For example, if you
in Dandora
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
where I came.
perfect system and when they play
top football the difference is evident
due to the upbringing and training. There is a lot of
If you had a sit down with whoever
runs football in Kenya what structural
recommendations would you give to
talent there."
help improve the game back home?

Follow Jeff Kinyanjui

on Twitter: @Nyash88

44 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 45

WOMEN FOOTBALL
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 fleet-
footed 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.
46 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
FLORENCE ADHIAMBO
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 Sianga coached
womens national team was
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.
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. Thats 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 thats 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
womens football crme de la crme
of Julia Omusula, Mary Adhiambo,
Doreen Nabwire, and others.
In the same year, Kenya, then coached
by George Wakasala, played a two-
legged 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.
STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke
STAR ON THE RISE

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 47

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 Adhiambos
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.
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
known as Kenya Football
I am open to other options outside the country as well, but my
Federation (KFF) would shove desire is to see women football structured in such a way that we
the ladies aside for four years
without any international have girls teams from the under 9 category upwards
competitions until 2011
when the under 20 national
team was assembled for the World Cup Qualifiers.
Mombasa Youth Olympic coach Joseph Oyoo,
formerly of Railway Football Club admits that
Duah was his worst nightmare during the annual
Jamhuri Cup tournaments. The Kenya ace bagged
the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player
(MVP) accolade twice in 1998 and 2000 playing
for Eastlanders, then replicated the same feat
in the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA)
tournament in 2001 and 2003 respectively earning
her a place in the then James Odijo Omondi coached
Mathare United Womens team. She would ditch
Mathare six months later to play for Makolandars.
Meeting Eastlanders in the final was a major
headache. Mombasa Railways housed the best
players but these opponents had mastered a unique
style of play. They were technically sound, skillful and
had some very slick touches and accurate passing. We
would switch to long direct balls and bank on speed
since we could not beat them in their own game.
Duah particularly was on top form and was the team
captain with great leadership ability. From a tender
age she had shown signs of coaching or even taking
48 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
up a role in football administration, Oyoo reminisces.
Coaching career
Unsurprisingly, one of Kenyas 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
much potential as she could out of the players in such a
short time. The reverse fixture would end in a 2-2 draw
with Harambee Starlets and Vihiga Queens midfielder
Maureen Ater-then playing in the right back position;
powering in a ferocious shot from the halfway line to net
the equalizing goal deep into stoppage time in Lesothos
backyard and enabling Kenya book a date with Zambia.
Belief in women football slowly crept in, with more parties
yearning to associate with the rather previously underrated
side. The next fixture was still nerve wrecking but as usual,
Adhiambo preferred to walk by faith and not by sight.
Zambias mens national team had just won the Africa Cup
of Nations (AFCON), and the same positive energy for
a strong West African side was easily contagious to their
womens side. Expectedly, Kenya lost 2-1 in the first leg.
Zambia still oozing confidence from the win, showed up in
Nairobi with a spruced-up team that had a few inclusions
with their professional players joining the fray. They would
then get a rude shock at the Nyayo National Stadium, when
Kenya registered a resounding 4-0 win against them.
I remember being asked in one of the interviews about where
 www.soka.co.ke

my players are attached professionally
and I replied West Pokot with Neddy
Atieno who was at Tartar High School
in mind, she said with a chuckle.
The promising teams 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
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 doesnt 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.

2-1 respectively. The disappointment

was 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 mens 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 other tournaments
Follow Terry Ouko
on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 49

STAR ON THE RISE
INTERVIEW STAR
JOHANNA ON THE RISE
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 Kenyas 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 Womens
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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 51

STAR ON THE RISE STAR ON THE RISE

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

52 SOKA
SOKA MAGAZINE
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MARCH/APRIL 2017
2017
 VIVIAN & SHARON www.soka.co.ke
WOMEN FOOTBALL

neighborhood perfected the art

of bullying us 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 We have always kind of been together all the time,
in Tanzania with the same team what I do Sharon automatically does. We have a
a year later, before joining Sega strong bond that connects us together,
Girls High School in Siaya County Vivian Komulo
in 2010 through a MYSA football
We have always kind of been at club level. Sharon and Vivian
scholarship. The scholarship
together all the time, what I do particularly are good players, who
program would then stop and
Sharon automatically does. We have are also disciplined and with a
the twins had to move to Maina
a strong bond that connects us consistent women football program
Wanjigi -a day school in Nairobi.
together. It gets to a point when if they are destined to greatness. To top
am sick, my sisters presence makes it up they can still pursue a career
Having had stellar performances
it better. At some point while at the in music since they are talented
at Sega Girls High School, reaching
national team during the fitness in that field too, Ouma noted.
the East Africa Secondary School
training, we passed out almost at the
Games level, they were selected
same time. People kept asking how Sharon and Vivian particularly are good
in the Airtel Rising Stars team in
that happened but we really dont players, who are also disciplined and with
2012. At the same time, they were
have tangible answers. Its just the a consistent women football program
playing for the Mathare United
way we are, we enjoy working and they are destined to greatness. -David
Women under 20 football team,
having fun together, Vivian remarked. Ouma, Kenya Womens National Coach
before moving to Makolandars
in the Women Premier League.
The national team coach David Ouma In as much as Vivian and Sharon
had faith in the twins and many other are always together, after Kenya
National Team Debut
players who he says he got out of qualified for the Africa Women Cup
retirement. It was a time the team of Nations Sharon was left out of the
They may not be Siamese twins but
had serious Olympic qualification showpiece due to an ankle injury.
when the Harambee starlets team
matches against Botswana and South This is something Vivian says affected
was assembled in 2015, they were
Africa, but the then Sofapaka FC her greatly while in Limbe, Cameroon
both called up and that would later
coach had to put the team through for the continental tournament.
lead to their debut appearances
a rigorous fitness program in order
in the Olympic qualification
to get tangible results from the We had previously gone to all
matches. The custodian who at
fixtures. Perfect examples of such competitions together right from
the time faced stiff competition
players are Jackline Juma who was when we were little. We joined the
from Makolandars Pauline Atieno
already engrossed in coaching at national team together and it was
and Spedags Samantha Achieng
Acacoro Football Academy, and hard for me make the trip to Algeria
had to work twice as hard to
Martha Karimi a KNVB and Football and Cameroon without Vivian. I was
regain fitness to match the two.
Kenya Federation (FKF) instructor. mostly lonely, and I cant say it affected
me on the pitch but generally it was
Due to lack of a stable womens
I felt something was wrong because an odd feeling not seeing her around.
league that led to the withdrawal
most of these girls had given up on She was however very supportive and
of Mathare Womens team from
active football. It reached a point would check on me whenever she
the Women Premier League, the
I had to get some of them out of could. Truth is I would have loved to
twins remained unattached to a
retirement and make them believe grace the big stage with Sharon by my
competitive club for close to two
in themselves again. They are still side. Thankfully, we have made many
years but once in a while played
good football players and even play memories together and God had a
for their parent club True Colours.
reason for that, Vivian continued.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 53

WOMEN FOOTBALL VIVIAN & SHARON
CECAFA
Having grown into a top goal keeper,
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.
54 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
gospel, Vivian concluded as
we wind up the interview.
The only setback is I feel we
Despite having had to juggle
have a long way to go as women
between football and music,
footballers in Kenya. In as much Sharon has seven national
team caps while Vivian has
as the federation is trying to
10. Notably, they are the
first ever set of twins to play
better the standards, it looks
together at the Kenya Womens
like a general problem, Senior National Team.
-Sharon
That however does not mean
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
Follow Terry Ouko
on Twitter: @Terry_Ouko
the music we do is mainly
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MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 55

STAR ON THE RISE STAR ON THE RISE

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, thats what they say. After a series of anti-
climaxes, thats what you want to hear; that it is darkest before dawn.

Coach Brenden Ichingwa Mwinamo- a Masters Degree holder- knows too

well how dark it can get when success was all everyone saw imminent. He
We hone good football, 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.
so the few set-backs we The Green Commandos of Kakamega High School pre-maturely bowed
out of the 2013 edition of the Kakamega County School games after
have suffered over the past Vincent Atsangos 73rd minute goal was all that the match ever saw,
and Mautuma Boys High School valiantly stormed into the next stage;
few years arent much of a Regional school games. A year later the boys in green gallantly marched
all the way to the pinnacle of Schools football, and dismissed arch-
deterrent- Brenden Mwinamo rivals 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.

Weve 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 arent
much of a deterrent. This however, is a very different year, Coach Mwinamo-
after 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

left the school since. Its 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 principals position-
and 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 havent
graced the national school games
for two years now, suffice to say-
they havent had a chance to defend
the title they last won in 2014 on
a national rostrum. 2015 had their
controversy involving regional rivals
St Anthonys 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 Anthonys
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 didnt.
Thats 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.
Heres a team that missed promotion
into the countrys 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
GREEN COMMANDOS www.soka.co.ke
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
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 (Mathare United), Stephen Etyang,
as Coach Mwinamo takes over the
remaining batch. Chief among the
players Lihanda- a coaching assistant-
has taken is Moses Mwangi- youll
probably remember him for scoring
Ulinzis 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
YOUTH FOOTBALL
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),
Vitalis Akumu (Western Stima),
Timothy Odhiambo (SoNy Sugar/
Ulinzi Stars), Edwin Mukolwe,
Wekesa Alfred and Harun Nyakha
(AFC Leopards), Alphonce Ndonye
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 cant 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. its 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,
of our jerseys as you can see are student is a Green Commando.
because after all- there is no
branded and that is courtesy of He wouldnt get enough time to
other school that does what the
Cleo Malalah who currently is prepare for the match, and the two
Green Commandos dared to do.
the Member of County Assembly seconds in which AllStars Coach
for Mahiakalo Ward in Kakamega Stanley Okumbi threw him in as
It is the third tier of football in
County. Jackson Kilima and Reginald his last substitution against Hull
the country so Coach Mwinamo
Asibwa have helped ease the burden didnt help either for he didnt
has to now travel too far for most
on a number of occasions and even touch the ball. Joshua later
of his away league matches. There
these are the gestures that keep remained in East Yorkshire even
comes the obstacle- one which he
us going as a team. Shows us that as his fellow teammates travelled
feels if more well-wishers come
there are people who genuinely back, a noble request by Hull Legend
on board, will help assuage the
love and cherish our efforts here in Dean Windass who also forms part
burden. When the team needed to
Kakamega, says Coach Mwinamo. of the Hull Academy Coaching staff.
make the long trip to Lodwar for
Even though the select team would
the 2016 regional school games,
In February 2017 Joshua Otieno fall 2-1 at the hands of Hull, Coach
the Green Commandos hit the
arrived in the United Kingdom Mwinamo is happy for his boy, and
headlines when Kakamega Alumni
(UK) 24 hours before the cream of couldnt ask for anything more.
(KA) came together and saw the
the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Otieno did not find himself at Hull
team airlifted to the remote venue.
- otherwise called the SportPesa for nothing. Its all credit to the kind
This is what makes Mwinamo revel
AllStars-took on English Premier of beautiful football we teach here.
in his coaching role at the school.
League side Hull City at the KCOM. As a person, he is a disciplined and
Two months before, he had never determined student. It was just
Kakamega Alumni have been
set foot in Kenyas Capital Nairobi the other day that we were having
helpful over the past, and so have
City. The 16 year old form three a friendly match with SoNy Sugar
a few friends of the school. Some

58 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 www.soka.co.ke

senior team and Otieno was a

ball boy on the day. At the time,
even the coaches at Sony still
hadnt 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 were 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 years

Green Commandos campaign-
an offensive right wing player
who also sits in the deep-lying
playmakers 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

Im 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. Ive told my current
squad about the news and
even challenged them to win
this years 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. Its 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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 59

STAR ON THE RISE 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, Macharias 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
Langata 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 Langata 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.

60 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017


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 didnt 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.
Macharias 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.
JOHN MACHARIA www.soka.co.ke
STAR ON THE RISE
From being in Laiser Hill reserve hard and walking through the
team in 2015 to being one of the corridors of Camp Nou or The
key members of the team was just Emirates will be the epitome of
beyond my dreams considering the my career, Macharia opines.
talent that was on at disposal.
He looks up to the inspiration of
We won titles last year and the Gor Mahias Francis Kachi Kahata
suitors were with me everywhere and Arsenals Mesut Ozil, ever since
I went and it was hard to ignore I have always admired Katchis
them since I wanted to compete my
playing style, theres a time I met
education. I settled for Kariobangi him and shared the same sentiments
Sharks after thorough consultations with him to the extent that he
and this was due to the fact that I
keeps encouraging me whenever
wanted to concentrate on my studies we meet. For Ozil, he is one of the
and tell the suitors that I already
best number tens I always admire.
had a team, Macharia notes.
Finishing his IGSCE education was
something of a satisfaction to him
and as 2017 began, Macharia knew
he was to feature in the nations 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
I started playing
straight into the first team was
going to be hard considering many
football at a tender
things that I dont want to divulge
as at now. But I got to thank coach
age but then it was
Kanu (William Muluya), the Sharks
coach for believing in me. I had to
more like a hobby. I
look for a loan deal somewhere
and many suitors came again but I fell in love with the
settled for FC Talanta because they
had just appointed John Kamau game as I grew and
whom I had worked with in the
national team, Macharia remarks. it is in secondary
On his chances at Talanta, Macharia
says he was taking each game school that I realized
at a time with his main aim to
cement a starting spot in his I wanted to persue
team and shine above the rest.
I have worked with Kamau and
it professionally.
he is someone who believes in the
youth and I am confident if I work
John Macharia
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.
My ambition is to one day play in
one of the best teams in Europe.
I am a Barcelona and Arsenal die
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 61
STAR ON THE RISE 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

62 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 www.soka.co.ke

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 63

 KPL
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;
Dont know what you got till its gone.
It stung the airwaves then, and
renditions of all sought sprang
around in years to follow to
rub the message home.
The recent contract termination
takes the game miles back leaving
stakeholders questioning for just how
long will the game be blackout?
As Cinderella chorused, it may
not be easy to get back though
the wheels to remedy the mess,
driven by FKF, is 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
Tribunal gave submissions to a
64 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
SUPERSPORT
case where the KPL had filed a
suit against FKF not to have the
top league from 16 to 18 teams.
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 landlord-
tenant engagement. It was then
clear that the final buck in running
the game locally rested with FKF.
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 hand-
in-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 cut-
short? 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
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 TVs bottom line as
the local league had little mass-
ification 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
Kenyas biggest clubs Gor Mahia and

AFC Leopards. With games live, they
received the perfect brand visibility.
That window of opportunity, as well
as for other cub sponsors is now lost.
Armchair fans/journalists
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
the local league have cross over to
other leagues, such as to Zambia,
South Africa, to name but a few.
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.
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 were never in the know
of FKF, till the recent termination.
MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE
www.soka.co.ke
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 Kenyas deal.
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
wetting their appetite and doing
their pros and cons for an entry
to the vacated space and 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.
Dont know
what you got
till its gone,
Dont know what it
is I did so wrong,
Now I know
what I got
Its just this song
And it aint easy
to get back
Follow Patrick Korir
on Twitter: @tipkorir
65
BLAST FROM THE PAST
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 Kenyas
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
66 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
GOAL IN HOLE
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 Kadenges 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 Kadenges
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 Sianga
for the second half. Matayo, later
replaced by John Ambani, Walter
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
STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke
STAR ON THE RISE

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 67

 KPL
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
clubs 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
68 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
SOCIAL MEDIA
Stars are leading in this category
with Muhoroni Youth and Tusker
FC, albeit still lagging behind,
slowly making a mark in this area.
In nations 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 clubs
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
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
clubs 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.
 www.soka.co.ke

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 countrys
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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 69

 OPINION BETTING CONTROL

Betting Control: Why the proposed

Gambling Bill should not be assented
By Wazito FC
Always short of money, lawmakers quandary that had threatened their
The proposed move by Cabinet
look eagerly for taxes they can safely very existence. The two are now
Secretary for National Treasury
raise and betting is an easy choice. able to sustain their big budgets,
Henry Rotich to increase tax on
This predilection is reinforced by a courtesy of Sportpesas sponsorship.
betting, gaming and lotteries
widely held myth of betting super-
has sent shock waves to the
profitability. Betting companies, Other players such as Betway and
sporting fraternity, threatening
everyone thinks, are magical money Betika have followed Sportpesas
to destabilize a growing sector.
pumps exempt from the economic footsteps, and currently have
laws that govern other activities sponsorship contracts with Mathare
It is this move that led Betting
and able to pay whatever taxes are United and Sofapaka FC, respectively.
Company Bradley Limited, in which
needed to make budgets balance (at Lotto, on the other hand, has
SportPesa has major shareholding,
least on paper), no matter how high. sponsored Posta Rangers FC.
to move to court to challenge
Tax revenues satisfy governments
the proposal. The firm, which is
immediate fiscal needs, and their So, what happens when the
responsible for the Pambazuka
importance is obvious. But there are betting companies that are
National Lottery, claimed in court
economic needs as well, and Betting, investing in sports are strangled
papers that Rotich overstepped
Gaming and Lotteries make important financially by excessive taxes?
his mandate by seeking to raise
contributions to the economy,
taxes from the current 7.5 per cent
especially the sports industry. Tax Rates and Jobs
(betting), 12 per cent (lottery),
15 per cent (gaming) and 15 per
Adverse Effects Invested capital creates jobs. As
cent (competition). It argues that
gaming privilege tax rates rise,
powers to review taxes in the
In order to understand the adverse gaming-related employment falls.
betting industry are only given to
effects of the proposed 50 percent The earlier tax rate of 7.5 percent
the betting control and licensing
tax on the gross revenue collected attracted capital investment
board and not the treasury.
by betting companies, lets look worth billions of shillings in the
If the proposal is actualized, an
at some of their notable positive sports industry. That invested
estimated Ksh350 million yearly
contributions to the sports industry: capital employs thousands of
investment in sponsorship to football
people in betting companies and
clubs and the Kenyan Premier League
Tax rates and capital investment facilities. There are marketing
(KPL) risks being wiped out. This
teams, tech employees, customer
lays bare the need to relook into
Capital investment and gaming service reps, security departments,
the proposal devoid of emotions.
privilege tax rates are inversely accounting departments and
related. As tax rates rise, capital coders, to name just a few positions
Betting has more exposure to tax
investment falls. Following the betting companies must fill.
increases, alongside cigarettes and
entry of Sportpesa in the Kenyan
alcohol, popularly known as sin
market a couple of years ago, Moreover, these are not small-time
taxes avenues of the economy. For
unprecedented cash injection in operations working out of a left over
betting, KRA Commissioner General
the sports industry especially in laundromat. These companies have
John Njiraini told MPs in February
football has translated to greater headquarters and even satellite
that eight of the 25 licensed betting
strides in developing the game offices that require real people to
companies had paid a total of
at the grassroots. Most of all, the show up to work. Then there are
Sh4.7 billion in the financial years
Kenyan Premier League has received the ancillary jobs that spring up
2014/2015 and 2015/2016. In a
the much needed financial boost. around any online gambling site.
presentation to Parliaments Labour
From affiliates, to writers, to web
and Social Welfare Committee
Some of the beneficiaries of developers: online betting is not
regarding the Betting, Lotteries and
Sportpesa betting sponsorship are just a product, its an industry.
Gaming (Amendment) Bills 2016, he
the Kenya Premier League (KPL),
said other taxes from the industry
Kenya Rugby Union and the Super Tax rates and the community
such as PAYE, VAT and income tax
Eight League. Individual clubs
are projected to more than double
have also benefited from the cash When they set tax rates, lawmakers
by the end of the current financial
injection, none bigger than traditional effectively decide the kind of gaming
year 2016/2017 from Sh1.2 billion
rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, facility that is built. High tax rates
last year to about Sh3.4 billion.
who previously had faced financial discourage capital investment and

70 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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
Kenyas, 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 Kenyas 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.

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 71

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
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
72 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
ALLAN WANGA
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 players
preparedness for life after football?
Allan Wangas 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
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.
 www.soka.co.ke

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 Angolas 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

Football as a career has

its span. However long it
may be, it will finally come
to an end one day."
- Allan Wanga

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 73

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
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,
Wanga who helped Petro de Luanda
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
Exactly what can footballers do
after their playing career is over?
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.
Notwithstanding, as revealed in a
recent report by FIFPRO - the World
74 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017
ALLAN WANGA
Players Union for all professional
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.
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.
Given the severe employment
risks worldwide, Kenya included,
the report says, missing out on
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
 STAR ON THE RISE www.soka.co.ke
STAR ON THE RISE

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 dont 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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 75

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.

76 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

 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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 77

 SOKA CROSSWORD AND PUZZLE

Soka Crossword 4 By Lenny Ruvaga

ruvagaLenny@hotmail.com
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P F : Harambee Stars Coaches By Lenny Ruvaga

ruvagalenny@hotmail.com

ZT U E TE P H C R

U R A R O A R EA A

N K N O R M O L B Y

J D D D O A LD R A

O RE I N C K IR N

N A E L G AG E E B

AK C H E J I K W U

T H J A S N B U N A

N A I LE O B HC I

NI V A C HR I S T

78 SOKA MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017

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

MARCH/APRIL 2017 SOKA MAGAZINE 79