Juggling football and academics is tricky for most footballers.
However, a few players in the Kenya Premier League (KPL) have beaten the odds to join the likes of Man City’s Frank Lampard, former Man United custodian Edwin van der Sar, Brazil’s Socrates and Welsh former footballer Barry Horne in the world of academia.
Football has for a long time been regarded as a career for academically-challenged individuals, but times have changed as the game now has smart guys like Paul Kiongera (now at Simba SC), the 2013 Best Midfielder Brian Osumba of Tusker and Michael Olunga who turns out for Thika United just to mention a few.
These players are following in the footsteps of Dr JJ Masiga, Dr William Obwaka and Dr Dan Shikanda by perfectly balancing studies and the demanding soccer career.
Name: Bernard Mang’oli
Age: 24
Current club: AFC Leopards
Previous clubs: JMJ Academy
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Community Development), fourth-year student.
College/University: Kenyatta University.
Primary/Secondary: Nzoia Primary/St Mary’s Kibabi High
“Education is a fall back plan to my football career.”
Name: Paul Mungai Kiongera
Age: 22
Current club: Simba SC
Previous clubs: KCB
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology).
College/University: Kenyatta University
Primary/Secondary: ACK Webuye/Friends School Kamusinga
“Your success depends on your work lan. I always attend evening classes, but forfeit training whenever I have morning classes.”
Name: Victor Ashinga
Age: 22
Current club: Nairobi City Stars
Previous clubs: Friendship International Sports Academy (FISA)
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Science (Sports Science), third-year student
College/University: Kenyatta University
Primary/Secondary: Amito Junior Primary/Our Lady of Fatima Secondary
“Mixing football with studying is not as challenging as it is made out to be. It’s all about passion for what you do. I believe in myself and as long as I work smart, nothing is impossible.”
Name: Eric Masika
Age: 28
Current club: Unattached
Previous clubs: Gor Mahia, Tusker Youth, Sacramento and AFC Leopards
Position: Defender
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Banking), third-year student
College: Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Primary/Secondary: Garden Primary/Sunshine Secondary
“It’s not been easy to balance classes with training, but I am trying. It boils down to what you love and time management.”
Name: Allan Wetende Wanga
Age: 28
Current club: Al Merreikh
Previous clubs: Tusker, Petro Atlético, Sofapaka, HAGL and AFC Leopards
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Diploma in Business Administration
College/University: Kisumu Polytechnic
Primary/Secondary: Shauri Moyo Primary/St Paul’s Secondary
“Commitment and discipline is key if you want balance books and soccer.”
Name: Israel Emuge
Age: 30
Current club: Gor Mahia
Previous clubs: Express, KCC and Kira Young
Position: Defender
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Public Administration and Management
College/University: Nkumba University, Uganda
Primary/Secondary: Uganda Matrys Primary/Jinja College
“It calls for sacrifice and dedication to juggle football and academics.”
Name: Dennis Ngaira Mukaisi
Age: 24
Current club: Kakamega Homeboyz
Previous clubs: Lirhembe Arsenal, AFC Leopards
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Arts)
College: Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Primary/Secondary: Musingu Primary/Mukumu Boys
“The school schedule at St Francis Xavier Shipalo, where I teach, gives me time to attend training sessions.”
Name: Brian Osumba
Age: 23
Current club: Tusker
Previous clubs: Gor Mahia, Mahakama and KCB
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Economics, CPA (Level Four)
College: University of Nairobi and Strathmore University
Primary/Secondary: St Peters Mumias Primary/Kanga High
“Proper planning and dedication is needed to succeed in both.
Name: Kennedy Agogo Otieno
Age: 23
Current club: Thika United
Previous clubs: Posta Rangers, Sony Sugar
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Diploma in Human Resource Management
College/University: Excel Institute of Professionals/Thika Technical Training Institute
Primary/Secondary: Kirindo Primary/ Agoro Oyombe Secondary
“It’s difficult to study and play football, but being a good time manager, I have excelled in both.”
Name: Edwin Manono Ombasa
Age: 22
Current club: Mathare United
Previous clubs: Posta Rangers, KRA, Shabana, Tusker
Position: Striker/Midfielder
Academic qualifications: BA Broadcast Production (TV Production), third-year student
College/University: University of Nairobi
Primary/Secondary: Gudka Primary/Kisii High
“I train in the morning and then prepare myself for evening classes that begin at 5pm.”
Name: Brian Masiolo
Age: 27
Current club: Unattached
Previous clubs: AFC Leopards, Western Stima and Red Berets
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Diploma in Education
College/University: Kaimosi Teachers Training College
Primary/Secondary: Kaimosi Demonstration Primary/Mbale High
“For you to be a successful footballer, you must be educated.”
Name: Wycliffe Opondo
Age: 25
Current club: Thika United
Previous clubs: Chemelil Sugar and Gor Mahia
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Diploma in Business Administration- Second Year
College/University: Hemland College
Primary/Secondary: Jamhuri Primary/Kairi Secondary
“Education is the key to life, and it calls for a lot of sacrifice.”
Name: Michael Ogada Olunga
Age: 20
Current club: Thika United
Previous clubs: Liberty Professionals Academy and Tusker
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (Geospatial Engineering), first-year student
College/University: Technical University of Kenya
Primary/Secondary: Baba Dogo Primary/Upper Hill Secondary
“When in class, education is my first priority. At the end of the day, it’s your papers that matter most.”
Name: Obadiah Erasto Ndege
Age: 23
Current club: Posta Rangers
Previous clubs: KRA, Tusker and AFC Leopards
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Meteorology
College/University: University of Nairobi
Primary/Secondary: NYS Primary/Solai Boys
“God’s grace motivates me to play the game I love.”
Name: Jacob Kelli
Age: 24
Current club: AFC Leopards
Previous clubs: Sofapaka, Mathare United and KCB
Position: Striker
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), second-year student
College/University: Kenya College of Accountancy
Primary/Secondary: Lukenya Academy/Utumishi Boys
“Football has a lifespan, and you must be prepared for another life after your career on the pitch ends. That’s only possible through education. This society needs intelligent people and educated individuals earn a lot of respect and recognition. But due to the demanding nature of the game, I’ve been forced to take study leaves at times.”
Name: Dan Makori
Age: 27
Current club: Western Stima
Previous clubs: Migori Youth, Gor Mahia and KCB
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Physical Education)
College/University: Moi University
Primary/Secondary: Ngege Primary/Kokuro Secondary
“If you are learned, people will respect you even after you retire from soccer.”
Name: Felly Mulumba
Age: 28
Current club: Sofapaka
Previous clubs: Posta Rangers, Chemin op, DCMP, S Daklo and S Dragon
Position: Defender
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Theology
College/University: Saint Louis University
Primary/Secondary: SNCC/ St Kelekele Secondary School
“Education is important. I know I am covered even when my football career ends.”
Name: Geoffrey Kataka
Age: 26
Current club: Posta Rangers
Previous clubs: AFC Leopards, Nairobi Stima, Mahakama and KRA
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Arts)
College/University: University of Nairobi
Primary/Secondary: Butunyi Primary/St Antony Esikalame
“All you need is to plan yourself to succeed.”
Name: Innocent Mutiso
Age: 23
Current club: Gor Mahia
Previous clubs: Mathare United
Position: Midfielder
Academic qualifications: Form Six
Primary/Secondary: Ndururuno Primary/Laiser Hill Secondary
“I am a day scholar and so it’s quite easy for me to manage my schedule.”