Kenyan boy awarded by Mesut Ozil lands job

Lawrence Masira (holding the ball) has been appointed the Visa Players Escort Ambassador for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. [Photo, Courtesy]

Kenyan boy who was awarded by Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil after his photo where he wore a self-written “Ozil 10” jersey went viral, has landed a job.

Lawrence Masira has been appointed the Visa Players Escort Ambassador for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament scheduled for 21 June to 19 July 2019 in Egypt.

On Tuesday, May 28, Visa Kenya tweeted: “Meet the Face of Player Escort Program, Lawrence Masira.”

Meet the Face of Player Escort Program, Lawrence Masira. #VisaUnstoppableStories pic.twitter.com/NQ70xVc99h — Visa Kenya (@VisaKenya) May 28, 2019

Lawrence alongside his squad will travel to Egypt for the 2019 AFCON tournament next month and will be walking the players into the pitch.

The 12-year-old will also be accompanied by his mother to Cairo, Egypt.

“I’m so happy to be going for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation, it’s a dream come true for me. I love playing football and to have a chance to be in Egypt is just an amazing experience. I will be happy to see our Harambee Stars play against Egypt because I like watching Mohamed Salah. My other favourite player is Ozil of Arsenal,” said Masira.

Visa is the player escort program partner for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament where more than 1000 children across the world will have an opportunity to lead out their football heroes onto the pitch.

Visa Kenya Country Manager, Victor Ndlovu, said:

“Kenya embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination. Our sponsorship for AFCON 2019 gives us an opportunity to provide experience to Kenyans. Through unstoppable stories campaign, we want to identify inspiring stories told from our youth, and share with the world."

-Earlier-

Lawrence had caught the attention of Ozil through a Kenyan journalist, Eric Njiru, who tweeted a photo of the kid after spotting him herding cattle on the streets of Nairobi in 2018.

In the photo, Lawrence was wearing a self-written “Ozil 10” shirt and eventually, the photo went viral.

The tweet read: “I saw this kid today grazing in the streets of Nairobi – a city without real grass for cows. He told me he loves @MesutOzil1088 so much (You can see his shirt). Maybe one day this can reach Ozil and get a real Arsenal shirt.”

The Arsenal star then responded and sent two official Arsenal shirts with “Ozil 10” on the back and football boots for Lawrence and his young brother.

Upon the delivery of the gifts, the German then posted four photos of his young Kenyan fan with his brother wearing their new Arsenal jerseys.

“The picture of the young Kenyan boy with a self-made shirt on Twitter touched me so much. And Look at Lawrence now – it’s so heartwarming to see him and his brothers happy,” Özil tweeted.

The picture of a Kenyan boy with a self made shirt on Twitter touched me so much. ????????? And look at Lawrence now – it's so heartwarming to see him and his brothers happy???????????? #SocialMediaPower ???????? #HappyToAssist #Nairobi #M1Ö pic.twitter.com/nQWgc0cABt — Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) March 11, 2019