Anyangu, AFC Leopards' defender like no other

Wycliffe Anyangu's father hails from Bunyore but responded to population pressure in the early days of independence and moved to Kapsabet, Nandi County. Wycliffe popped up in the Kakamega High School Green Commandoes squad of 1981. They beat the John Zangi Okello orchestra of Kisumu Boys High School in the national championships finals. Before that, he attended Kapsabet Township Primamry School. It is his football prowess in Kapsabet that caught the hawk eyes of Kakamega High School teacher, Chris Makokha.

Ironically, little is said of Kapsabet as a football den. Many players emerged from the sleepy town in the 1970s. Edward Bulungu and Alex Kibet played for Thika-based KTM FC, Jonathan Kibet played for Eldoret KCC and later Jacob Lijodi went to Mumias Sugar SC. Long before the wingback position became as popular as it is now, we had players like Anyangu. He made forays from the righ fullback position into the right wing with ease. He also had the gas to fall back fast and cover. Defenders rarely get their flowers for their prowess on the pitch. Wycliffe Anyangu is one such defender whose memory faded faster than the midfielders he played with and strikers he stopped with ease.