K'Ogalo's Nicholas Kipkirui a revelation

Gor Mahia striker Nicholas Kipkirui [Courtesy]

There is a wind of change blowing in local soccer.

When Gor Mahia recruited Nicholas Kipkirui from Zoo Kericho in the January transfer window few pundits thought the lad would announce his arrival by scoring against Egypt’s feared Zamalek FC of all teams.

First of all, one would not have imagined that coach Hassan Oktay would gamble by throwing a greenhorn to play the crucial lead striker position in such a highly charged match.

In a game where everything counted, what did the tactician see in the youngster that others did not? The player was literally thrown in the deeper end of the pool and left to swim upwards. Swim Kipkirui did and so successfully by scoring the third crucial goal.

Perception is sometimes not everything. In the prism of our Kenya football, Kipkirui had everything against him. First his surname betrayed him, second he had never played on a bigger platform. Playing against K’Ogalo’s international arch rivals, stage fright would have been a real issue. Third, he was plugged to play number 9 for none other than Gor Mahia FC in front of their kowtowing crazy, demanding and unforgiving fans.  

In reference to the history of the club, Kipkirui had occupied a position ya kujipima against previous amazing strikers like William Chege Ouma, Hesborn Omolo, Peter Dawo, Stephen Odiaga, Stephen Okumu, Dan Sserunkuma, Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere. All serial goal poachers.

Gor Mahia players celebrate scoring against Zamalek [Courtesy]

I am sure many are waiting for the fans to bless the lad from Kericho with a nickname. Thereafter the call-up road to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) bound Harambee Stars is the next option.

But Kipkirui is not the first Kalenjin to shine on the big stage. There were others before him. Kales are not just athletics and other track events. The pioneer footballer in the community was one Jimmy Rero who played for Nakuru All Stars in the 1960s as a defender. His son Tom Rero was a regular with KCC Eldoret FC and was voted KFF 1998 Player of the Year.

When Kericho Olympic Youth Centre was established in 1974 they produced a top goalie for Abeingo FC of Nakuru and also reserve for Harambee Stars called David Sawe.

After Sawe came Joe Birgen of Waterworks FC before it was renamed Ulinzi Stars. The slums of Majengo Nairobi produced another talented ball juggler the late David Chirchir who juggled selling second-hand clothes in Gikomba Market and playing for Re-Union FC. You never saw a master of ‘kupepeta’ until you saw Chirchir doing his thing at the City Stadium.

Deep past Oyugis Market inside Homabay County in a school Karabok Secondary School, Gor Mahia tracked down another Kale called Joseph Kiplangat. He was shipped to Nairobi and given the coveted green jersey. He contributed immensely to the K’Ogalo resurgence under Coach James Sianga between 2012-2014 before coach Zdravko Logarusic threw him out forcing him to hang his boots through Chemelil and Sony Sugar FC.

Then there was Sammy Sholei of Tusker FC and Harambee Stars and who also vied for Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairmanship against Sam Nyamweya.  

Does the entry of Kipkirui signal good tidings for football in Kenya once a preserve for Luos, Luhyas and Coasterians?

Historically the Luo, Luhya and Coastal communities embraced football with the spread of Christianity and Western education. However, the colonialists pitted the Luo against the Luhya in the Railway quarters of Makongeni and Council houses in Kaloleni, Shaurimoyo and Jericho Estates.

Colonial administrators divided communities across ethnic lines and welfare activities. The Kikuyu, Kalenjin and Kambas were not encouraged to play football and if anything Kales and Kambas were more oriented to embrace opportunities in the security organs.

Urbanization and commercialization if football has seen the entry of many youth from these communities. Football has become not only a competition but also a celebrity game. Like movie stars, soccer stars are reverted and categorised. In modern football physique is immaterial that’s why small bodied players can thrive as much as those from communities that generally produce big bodied individuals. It has become a question of skill and artistry.

Other communities have also had their fair share of good footballers: From Central Kenya came out Patrick Naggi, a defender for Gema FC which stayed in the then Super League for few years before it fizzled out. He later became Harambee Stars coach. John ‘Mo; Muiruri, the master dribbler went through Kisii High School, Utalii FC, Harambee Stars then all the way to Norway. George Waweru was Harambee Stars super defender until an injury ruined the party. Victor Waweru was Francis Onyiso’s deputy when coach Reinhard Fabisch was in charge of Harambee Stars.  Kevin Kimani and Stephen Waruru have been in and out of various teams in the Premier League. Who disputes the fact that Francis Kahata ‘wuod Nyambura’ is currently Kenya’s best midfielder? The list is long.

From the land of Kilunda we have seen the best tacticians emerge effortlessly. Like Marshall Mulwa who ferried Douglas Mutua from KTM FC to the national team. What a great midfielder.

Dino Kitavi though behind the scenes played for Gor Mahia and the then Kenya Breweries. He also tried his hand in coaching. Jacob Ghost Mulee was the last man to lead Kenya to Afcon in 2004. He is also credited with ‘discovering’ Dennis Oliech and capping him at 16 years.

Francis Kimanzi played and coached both Mathare United and Harambee Stars where teammate Maurice Wambua also played. Innocent Mutiso dazzled at Gor Mahia but the greatest soccer wizards made in Ukambani were the Mwololo brothers Peter and Bramwell who played for Tusker and Ingwe respectively. Seif Mutie and Charles Nzau were kingpins at Re-Union FC for a long time.