Kenyans flood social media celebrating the only Kenyan to win Champions League

Sports
By Waweru Titus | Apr 04, 2019
The UEFA Champions League trophy. [Courtesy]

Football fans have taken to social media to wish former Kenya National team Harambee Stars Captain McDonald Mariga alias ‘Big Mac’ a happy birthday.

Mariga, who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today, April 4, enjoyed a prosperous football career, winning the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho. 

Apart from being the first Kenyan to win one of the most valued trophies in the world, he was the first Kenyan to play in the Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and in the Champions League.

The central midfielder went to Sweden in 2005 to play for third Division side Enkopings. After only one season at ESK, he signed for Helsingborgs IF before the 2006 season. 

Birthday Boy McDonald Mariga [Courtesy]

His younger brother and current Stars’ Captain Victor Wanyama became the second Kenyan to play in the Champions League, then donning Celtic colours. 

Wanyama plays as a midfielder for English Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.

In 2017, Mariga signed for Spanish second division side Real Oviedo, a move that raised eyebrows.

When asked about his reasons for joining the club, the box-to-box midfielder said: “I chose Real Oviedo because it is a great club in Spain, everyone knows about it. It’s a great club in Spain.”

As seen on the club’s website by GameYetu, Mariga said: “It (Spanish league) is very technical and less physical. We are in one of the best leagues in the world. For me, it’s not a challenge. I have played here before and I know it will go well. As a footballer, the objective is in the work, to improve. As a team, the objective is to fight, give our best and reach our targets. I want to train and work and later the coach will decide.”

The Kenyan superstar started plying his trade at Ulinzi Stars, before moving to Tusker FC and then to Harambee Stars while still at school.

Mariga was a member of the Kamukunji High School 'Golden Boys', which also included Gor Mahia and striker Dennis Oliech.

Rumours were rife in 2018 that Mariga and former TV presenter Joey Muthengi were lovers.

This because of the Betin advert that became a permanent fixture on our local TV stations portraying the two as a couple.

Joey Muthengi, Mariga [Courtesy]

He has been in a number of relationships, but his longest one was with Rwandan beauty Ariane Umutoni — the two dated from 2008 until late 2013.

Mariga would later hook up with Hawa, believed to be West African, and had a daughter named Kenisha.

Mcdonald Mariga player profile:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mcdonald-mariga/profil/spieler/37124

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