Rising stars: Players to look out for in 2019

Gor Mahia's Eliud Lokuwam (left) vies for the ball with Chemelil Sugar Philip Mwangale [Courtesy]

The new year is upon us, with most sporting activities already underway. As the curtains are drawn to usher in 2019, young rising stars across the country are hoping the season ahead will see them make a breakthrough. The Nairobian takes a look at some of the kids to keep your eye on in the season ahead.

Football

Jacob Onyango

He is a schoolboy, but is already showing his great footballing skills. He studies at St Anthony’s Boys High School-Kitale. He has been instrumental in their school team’s winning ways, seeing them perform better in national and international school games.

In December 2018, he emerged the top scorer in the inaugural Copa Coca Cola under-16 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Nakuru. His team eventually won the trophy by beating a Nigerian side in the final match.

Onyango is undoubtedly a rising star!

Brian Olango

Brian Olnago training [Courtesy]

It is easier to identify a striker-because he scores goals, than picking a goalkeeper, whose work tend to go unnoticed. But Brian Olango is one of a kind. You can’t fail to notice his heroics between the posts.

At just 15 years old, Olango has exhibited great potential. His raw talent has been nurtured at Makongeni Sports Association who spotted him from Kamukunji Secondary School where he still schools.

In 2018, while playing for Wazito FC product, he participated in the Under 17 Cecafa tournament in Burundi, and the Under 17 Afcon qualifiers in Tanzania. He also earned a call-up to the Kenya U-20 national team. 

He has since joined Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side KCB, and all eyes will be on him in 2019.

Sydney Lokale

Sydney Lokale rose through the ranks from Nakuru AllStars junior team to the limelight at Kariobangi Sharks. The young man from Lodwar scored three KPL goals for the Sharks and his fire seems to be burning even hotter.

Eliud Lokuwam

Kenyatta University student Eliud Lokuwam Nanok is making history in football. The youngster is doing just fine juggling books — economics (finance) — at the university and football. He is already making it having featured in champions Gor Mahia lineup.  In August, he became the first Turkana to score for K’Ogalo in a match which drove Gor Mahia nearer to the glory. It was against Chemelil Sugar, and his goal was the winner.

Boxing

Shaffi Bakari

He is 25 years old. He developed interest in boxing at the tender age of nine under the guidance of former boxer Lemmy “Cobra” Katibi and has frequently risen to the occasion while turning out for the Kenya Police’s boxing team.

His light shone at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, and more is expected of the young man in 2019.

Denzel Onyango

You must have heard of legendary heavyweight boxer Omar Kasongo, the pugilist who raised Kenyan flag high on the global stage in the 90s.

More than two decades later, a youngster is on the rise to fill Kasongo’s giant shoes. The 19-year-old Denzel Onyango, fighting in the middleweight category is the star. He is still young and has not had many fights, but he is very promising.

Mohammed Ali

Ali turns out for Mombasa outfit Kongowea Boxing Club. He punches in the light fly (49kgs) category and is seen as the next big name in that weight. His performance in the 2018 season was commendable. He will definite.

Swimming

Maria Brunhelner

Maria Brunhelner [Courtesy]

Maria Brunhelner, 18, is a Germany-based Kenyan swimmer. Her prowess was obvious in 2018 when she took part in the Africa Youth Games in Algiers. At the competition, she won three medals - two gold in the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle events and a silver medal in the 50 metres breaststroke.

She set a championship record of 26.14 seconds in the 50 metres freestyle and repeated her feat in 100 metres, where she posted 58.87 seconds. In the 50 metres breaststroke event, she clocked 34.04 seconds, losing out narrowly to Morocco’s Imane Houda El Barodi, who tapped the wall in 33.03

Her exploits saw her get called up to the Kenya Olympic Youth Games team in Buenos Aires Argentina and she also earned selection to the CANA Zone Three Championships.

Hockey

Gilbert Okanga

A young player who has arisen to the occasion in the hockey league, once again, is Gilbert Okanga. In a year which was not so smooth for Western Jaguars, the custodian stood to be counted. His heroics kept his side afloat and hopeful stay in 2019.

Okanga is a young player to watch in the upcoming season.

Athletics

Jackson Muema

Kenya is still known in the world for her long distance records. Eliud Kipchoge, who won the IAAF Athlete of the Year award is just but a recent example of what the world thinks of us.

And young Jackson Muema is just starting out. He won the 4km cross-country race at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina to bag a gold medal for Kenya. Cross-country was returning to the Olympics arena after a 94-year hiatus. It was definitely worth the wait! We now know of a son who is up for greatness!

Rugby

Wiseman Aganya

He started playing rugby at Kakamega High School and was a talented centre. Two years down the line, Aganya is a force to reckon with in the national league. With his remarkable effort in 2018, his club Strathmore qualified for Kenya Cup playoffs.

William Diffu

Diffu plays for Homeboyz.  He is young, talented and already has a title to his name. He won the East African Championship title with Laiser Hill in 2017, in addition to taking part in the U-20 team which took Kenya to the 2017 Africa under 20 championship finals.

He has really grown and 2018 has been a good year for him. He’s now a starter for Homeboyz and has graduated very fast to Kenya Cup regular.

Achadius Kwesa

He is a Kakamega High School alumnus. He is now with Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in the varsity league and Kenya Cup.

Kwesa is a good winger who helped his side survive Kenya Cup relegation in 2018 and has starred in the first few weeks of the 2018/19 season.

He was among the best during the national sevens circuit and was immediately called to the Kenya 7s squad that played at Africa 7s and Safari 7s.

Volleyball

Stacy Otieno

At just 16, she is indeed a talent to watch in 2019. She has what it takes to be a good volleyball middle blocker. She is tall, skillful and energetic.

She is still a student at Kwanthanze Secondary School in Machakos County and has been part of the team in school game championships - both in the country and the continent.

This year, she earned a call-up to the under-20 national team (Junior Malkia Strikers), which was ranked 5th in the Africa Nations Cup.