KPL players are so boring to watch

The first half of the 2016 SportPesa Kenyan Premier League (KPL) league is fast drawing to a close.

Of major concern, thus far, is the mediocrity exhibited by players. Their performance is wanting to say the least.

I am yet to see the razzmatazz that was delivered by the 2015 K’Ogalo team. Tusker is just that, Tusker. They blow hot and cold — all they do is claw in points with nothing to write home about.

Let’s face it, Kenyan footballers players are average — which is why Gor Mahia coach, Ze Maria, at some point wondered whether to ‘import’ Brazilian boys, some 10-year-olds, to educate our boys how to control the ball. The academy basics are still lacking.

Have you seen any header as good as Peter Dawo’s? We have no deadball specialist like Victor Ali Abondo who left for South Africa. I pity Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi, because his catchment zone consists of average players who are so boring to watch.

I wonder who will be the player of the year in 2016. Could the winner, whoever it would be, hold a candle to Michael Olunga?

Long before SuperSport, we had emerging players who surprised fans all over the country with their raw talent. Most of these players ended up playing for the national team for many years.

Fast rewind to 1964, when young 16-year-old James Siang’a was the toast of our independence year. Straight from his KAPE at Dr Aggrey Primary School, Siang’a was a master of bravery and courage. He joined the national team playing alongside Joe Kadenge, Daniel Nicodemus, Peter Oronge, Elijah Lidonde, Munialo Opicho, Moses Wabwayi, Job Omino and many others. He kept the No 1 position until 1976. Think about that?

In between, other youngsters who lit up the stadiums were Nahsho ‘Lule’ Oluoch and Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino. They both joined the big league while still in high school. Oluoch at Highway Secondary School and Owino at Nairobi Technical School. The two were immediately drafted into the national team and did not disappoint the fans.

Had Owino not been an ordinary soccer player, he would probably have become a professor of mathematics specialising in geometry.

Kenya has never witnessed a player who could give all his passes at calculated angles.

Forget curling passes or banana kicks, his shots were straight and accurate from whatever angle. From the centre, he could pass the ball towards the corner flag.

He could also estimate a winger’s position in full flight before giving that killer pass. At position 8 or 10, he was a joy to watch. Owino did all these in only two years before he went to the USA on a football scholarship.

The winger who was mostly the recipient of these deadly passes was none other than Nahashon ‘Lule’ Oluoch — he invented the touchline run. He could use both his right and left feet effectively.

Eric ‘Jaboma’ Omonge also happened one afternoon when he was unveiled by Luo Union FC straight from St Mary’s School, Yala via Kisumu Black Stars. The national team snapped him up. Omonge was a master dribbler.

Then came Francis Kadenge. ‘Odengo,’ as he was popularly known, was in the Ingwe squad of 1980, 1981 and 1982 that did a treble in the league. He helped turn around the fortunes of AFC Leopards. His winning goals elevated the entire team to greater heights. Francis Kadenge lived before his time.

After Francis Kadenge, it took long before the Kenyan soccer scene saw another revelation in Peter Ochieng Dawo. Like ‘Odengo’, the game was never over until Dawo scored with his head. Dawo was the 1997 revelation in the Kenyan soccer scene.

After 1987, there was a lull, until 2002, when youngster Dennis Oliech emerged. Although not very exciting to watch, Oliech was an executioner of sorts. His job was to get the crucial goals. He was not your typical crowd entertainer or juggler. He excelled in completing the job of a striker.

Then came Victor Wanyama, who ironically became a revelation in Europe. A few back home remember any memorable matches he played while at City Stars. He actually blossomed in Europe.

Then came Jesse Were in the 2014-15 season. Fine, he was last year’s top scorer with 22 goals, but we are yet to accurately evaluate his strength or unravel his special talent.

Other players who showed glimpses of genius, but faded as soon as they emerged, were Francis Kahata, Ayub Timbe and Clifford Miheso.

David ‘Calabar’ Owino is a rising star whose prowess was noticed only after he left Karuturi FC. Like most defenders worldwide, his star is rarely noticed compared to midfielders and strikers.

Then there is ‘Engineer’ Michael Olunga — a goal-scoring machine. It’s sad that since his move to Djurgarden FC in Stockholm, Kenya is yet to see any new revelation.

My crystal ball however tells me that Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma may just okoa jahazi and be the prodigy of the year 2016. Watch that youngster!