Mukosh juggles between school and sports with ease

Involata Mukoshi at Badi Primary School grounds in Jomvu, April 24, 2020. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

In football parlance, attackers will win you matches, but defenders win you titles.

Defenders are tasked with building a solid reputation and remaining reliable. Maintaining a superb positional sense is what comes in handy for any player yearning for reputation.

And for one Involata Mukosh, she habours most of these qualities. Her prowess at the back-line while playing for either her school team St. John's Kaloleni or her club Mombasa Olympic, has been enviable to many. 

Born in November 2002 in Kakamega, Mukosh, who captains former national and East Africa secondary school girls' football champions St John's Kaloleni of Kilifi, has kept on gaining more recognition from several coaches.

The Form Three student, who joined the school in 2018, has been making the right moves at both the club and school. Her ability to balance both has been incredible.

After finishing her standard eight examinations at Wanzalala Primary School in Kakamega County in 2017, Mombasa Olympic head coach Joseph Oyoo spotted the mercurial player and played a key role in ensuring she joined the 2016 national and East Africa girls’ football champion.

St John's Kaloleni beat former champions Wiyeta 3-1 in the 2016 national games final in Kisumu to become the first girls football team from Coast region to win the coveted trophy.

The winning team, which featured Harambee Starlets striker Mwanahalima Adam, now with Swedish top tier side Djugardens IF based in Scotland, went on to win the East Africa schools title.

“I joined Mombasa Olympics while in Form one where we featured in the top women league in 2018 but due to financial constraints, we were relegated to the lower division after forfeiting three consecutive matches,” said Mukosh.

The player, who is the school team's captain, said she played football while in primary school.

“I give praises to both my primary and high school coaches who have developed my talent in football,” said Mukosh.

“I am happy to have joined a good school, where I have combined well in football and academics. I'm among the top performers in my class,” she added.

“Due to my good combination (both in class and on the field), my school Principal Josephine Masimbo offered me a scholarship, which has pushed me to perform even better. My focus is to work hard and perform well in my Form Four examinations. I will also thrive to keep playing football even after school,” said the 17-year old player.

Coach Oyoo said several coaches including Harambee Starlets head tactician David Ouma, Falcon FC and Thika Queens heads are all eying to land the services of Mukosh.

“This player is in demand and several coaches are wishing to have her in their team. She's talented and has a bright future in football. I know speed kills but Mukosh has the technical speed,” said Oyoo.