Son of former Kenyan international plays and scores at famous Maracana where likes of Brazil stars Pele and Ronaldo have done

 

Every fan inside Maracana was itching for a goal, but it appeared Belgium and Russia were not about to serve one.
In the media tribune, I refresh the BBC live updates and noticed commentator Michael Emons had quipped: “The Maracana is one of the best stadiums in the world. It has hosted some great games. This is not one of them.”
Boos and jeers were ringing round the hallowed ground of Maracana. This World Cup has been about goals and goals.
Belgium’s forward line boasted of Chelsea stars Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and a lot was expected of them.
Yet it appeared there was no one player ready to grab the headlines.
On the touchline Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was exasperated at how his stars were shackled by the Fabio Capello’s Russia.
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown weighed in with a comment on Belgium’s lead striker: “Romelu Lukaku looks as though he is half asleep, surely he is going to wake up? He has the necessary tools to be a real force but he has to use it and have the right desire.”
It came as no surprise therefore when Wilmots threw into the fray after 57 minutes, man of the moment Divock Origi in place of Lukaku.
The son of former Zaire captain, Roger Lukaku, had not brought his tools of trade to Maracana.
Did the gods contrive that he forgets so that Origi shows what he has?
Everton’s Kevin Mirallas, too, joined in the front line and slowly Belgium gained a footing in the match.
Mirallas did strike the base of the upright from a free kick.
As if it was all written in the stars that it would be Origi sending the Diables Rouges through to the second round, Mirallas’ effort failed to yield a goal.
Then cometh the hour cometh the man.

He may not know a thing or two about African sayings for he was born in Ostend, Belgium in 1995, to Kenyan parents. As if the youngster knew that, “the sun shines on those standing before those kneeling” he grabbed his chance with both hands.
Against Algeria in their first match, he was unlucky not bury a chance he got late on. But there was no stopping his star, fittingly inside the Maracana, where Pele, Garrincha, Jairzinho, Falcao, Rivelino, Didi, Zizinho, Ronaldo, Bebeto, Romario and many other Brazilians seduced the world into loving football.
There, Origi, tall and elegant in his stride picked his spot when Hazard returned the favour from his earlier pass to whip the ball past a flailing Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Could that be an announcement that son of Mike Okoth has arrived at the table of football kings with his hands washed? Time will tell.