kenyan footballer in czech

[mutuko]

]Belgium; The New destination for Kenyan youth article from www.kenyafootball.com

It has been a longing for Kenyan players to strike it big, to get a chance to prove that talent can be converted into a career.

For some fortunate Kenyan youths, this seems to be more probable than ever.

Belgium has for a long time been a platform where youths, especially from Academies in West Africa have come out tops. Yaya Touré, now with Barcelona is a perfect example.

Three strikers Sebastian Muchera, 19 (Ex Kakamega High & AFC Leopards), Johana Omolo, 18, Antony Mwongi, 18 and defender Edwin (Otieno) Oluoch, 19 (Ex MYSA & KCB) have began to blossom their careers with a third division club RSC Visétoise (RSC Visé).

Before settling at RSC Visé, the relatively unknown Omolo and Otieno had been at another side KV Mechelen (first division) for trials in July this year but both failed to land contracts.

Muchera and Otieno are relatively known names after having been called up to the Kenya national team Harambee stars during the recently ended Ghana 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Unlike Mwongi, the other trio have already become regulars at RSC Visé. In the past weeks, they have all been drafted to the first eleven during league games in the third division.

RSC Visé coach Stephane Huet admits that the three young Kenyans are becoming more and more involved at RSC Visé and are helping the club make a lot of progress.

‘The contribution of the three is impressive and is becoming increasingly critical for us’ says the coach.

The third division (3e Klasse) in Belgium league system is the third level after the Jupiler league and the second division (2e klasse). Group A and B, each with 16 teams make up the third division. RSC Visé is currently sixth in Group B.

Tomorrow, the trio will be called upon to lift RSC Visé in a league game at home as they take on KV Turnhout.

Anderlecht

Victor Wanyama (Mugabe), 16 is another player who has settled in Belgium. The gifted midfielder formerly with AFC Leopards and World Hope is in the ranks of renowned club RSC Anderlecht juniors. Despite his tender age, Victor made an appearance for Harambee Stars on May 27th this year against mighty Nigeria at Kasarani. Soon after, he was on a flight to Belgium.

Already, KVM Mechelen is considering signing the youngster and so are Royal Antwerp Football Club and Germinal Beerschot, clubs he has already had trials with.

Mugabe it seems, is keenly following the footsteps of his big brother McDonald Mariga, now at Parma FC in Italy’s’ Serie ‘A’.

Two other Kenyans U-17s; Jackson (Mike) Kariuki and Ayub (Timbe) Masika (pictured to the left) are in the ranks of Anderlecht.

Jean-Marie

Progress of the Kenyan youths to Belgium has been necessitated by one Jean-Pierre Abeels of JMJ Academy. Now retired, Jean-Marie is a Belgian national who once turned out for KFC Germinal Ekeren.

Jean Marie is giving promise to Kenya, a talent hot bed by opening doors and giving real opportunity to the youth who will later contribute to the growth of Kenyan soccer.

In May this year, Jean-Marie, in a bid to start a stream of Kenyans heading to Belgium, necessitated trials for two Kenyan players Jacob Omondi (Sher Agencies) and Mark Sirengo (Mumias Sugar) at Jupiler league side RAEC Mons. However both players failed to be picked by the club.

The mentioned players are just part of the success story.

Notables

Until this year, very few Kenyan players had graced the Belgian leagues.

The notables that made it in Belgium in the recent past include; Mike Okoth Origi who spent about 14 years with different clubs (from 1992), Tom Odhiambo (Verbroedering Geel 1996-1998), Robert Mambo (KAA Ghent & KAA Zeehaven) and John Machethe Muiruri (KAA Ghent & Germinal Beerschot).

Early in the year, we had erroneously reported that the project was being run against normal standard practice. We have since established that the JMJ Academy is a legitimate project and kenyafootball.com would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr. Jean Marie for any inconveniences that may have occurred. We also invite any talented young footballers to try their chance at the JMJ Academy.

* Photos courtesy of club websites.

[Wantai]

We had not mentioned Eric Odhiambo of Leicester City FC.


Player Details

Name Eric Odhiambo
Age 18
Club Southend United
Position Striker
Squad No 30
Born Oxford, England
Height 175cm
Player rating 5.0

Transfer history From Leicester City to Southend United on 31 Aug 2007 (On Loan)


source: Sky Sports | Football | Championship | Leicester City | Eric Odhiambo

[mutuko]

Hi Wantai, good player from East Africa, he's Tanzanian but worth a mention.

[mutuko]

There two Kenyan plaaying their trade in Norway. for a team known as Moss FK

John Machathe Muiruri- midfielder

Arnold Origi Otieno - goalkeeper

[mpendadoggy]

i tell you people mariga is gaining confidence and getting a first team call up.his bila doubt a class player,watch out parma matches.i live in italy and have seen him in action

[mutuko]

I watched the highlightes of Parma 4-4 Torino, Macdonald Mariga had a shoot on goal but hit the post.

Mpendadoggy, do Italian press rate him? What about the Parma fans?

[mpendadoggy]

mutuko mariga is described as a player of quality and quality,he was so impressive when he came on as a sub during milan-parma.he really was decisive on kaka,kaka had to foul him.he is rising am watching him closely,will update on his progress

[maziwa]

Good to see kenyans make it. hopefully fame n fortune will not go to their heads

[mutuko]

Juventus 3-0 Parma, althought they lost Mariga was one of the player who left his head raised high.(as stated in Kenya Football .:. Home) He did have a good performers and also the manager Hector Cuper has great hope on his strenght and ability. But Parma are just above relegation from Seria A should take all the rest of games as their final.

[a.wanjala]

It seems that Kenyans actually want to play for Kenya, instead of wanting citizenship in some European Country. Is Kenyan pride that Deep? Let's hope that trend continues otherwise tutukuwa na akina Kolou. Aki Kolou made me so angry, Ivory coast is a good team, have some pride!!!!!!!

Does anyone else realise how good the Kenyan national tema is becoming. Attack tuko sawa. Oliech, Mariga, Oboya plus our local boys. Not many african teams can say that. Midfield tuko. Our local lads plus a solid international crew. Defence ndio haiko. If Kenyans get a stellar defence we might be able to make some noise in the CAN next time. Na cochi poa ni lazima, what happened to that German coach, ali***uzwa au nini??

Sijui mbona forum inakataa niandike neno ***uzwa? Nilitaka kusema ' he was chased, or what?'