Arising Mukuru football prodigy

By Suleiman Chacha, Nairobi

Maurice Odhiambo in full flight

Many people believe that nothing good can come out of the slums but people like Patrick Oboya who plays his professional football in Slovakia and Maurice Odhiambo now in Denmark are sufficient proof that there’s indeed raw talent and potential in the slums. Nurturing is the only missing ingredient.

Oboya in action

In this modern day and time, talent is the main key to success but living in the densely populated Slums of Mukuru is a massive challenge in itself to the slum youths hence many end up not even identifying what their talent is.

Many young talented youths are exposed to many vices such as drug abuse, prostitution and robbery instead of the vast available opportunities to sharpen their talent and skills but behold despite the numerous challenges and obstacles, one bold, brave, patient and immensely talented young individual has embraced all his challenges while growing up in Mukuru Kayaba Slum to make it to the top of professional football.

 Former Harambee stars under 20 skipper Maurice Odhiambo recently signed a two year contract with Danish 3^rd tier side Lolland Falster Alliancen. Things are surely looking up for this left footed offensive midfielder.

However, it has not been an easy ride to the top for this humble, patient and down to earth young man who grew up in the poverty stricken Slums of Mukuru, selling peanuts for a living. Given his tough and difficult childhood, Odhiambo knew his only chance at a decent life was through his talent.

His passion and love for the game was immense such that he used to run away from his humble home to go and train at the Railway Training Institute never minding the pangs of hunger that would follow later.

He was a gifted natural dribbler hence nicknamed the young Zidane.

“Back then I used to laugh at him (Maurice). He wasn’t so good when it came to books but he was almost invisible in the field. I used to play for fun but he played with a purpose, a reason. That desire to achieve something. You could see it in the way he played. He was hungry for success and I am proud he has made it this far. What drives him is his self belief and it’s a matter of time before he takes the football world by storm.” Said Jaspah Ouna his close friend and ally since childhood

Maurice in action for the Czech side Siad Most

This is however his second time to give a shot at professional football. In 2008 at the age of 18 he went to the Czech Republic for trials and turned out for the reserve team of Siad Most where he spent 3 years before he was called to captain the Kenyan under 20 team in the African cup and world cup qualifiers.

After an impressive outing with the under 20 he was further drafted into the senior team where he played a couple of friendly matches before heading back to join Patrick Oboya at Siad Most. 

Nakuru All Stars logo

In 2011 Maurice jetted back to the country and signed for KPL side KCB before heading to Nakuru All Stars, a professional Kenyan football club based in Nakuru county where he was made captain.

He left Nakuru All Stars together with the side’s top striker Sebastian Muchera who has now returned back to All Stars for the trials in Denmark.

In Denmark things were tougher and harder than he had anticipated but given he had tasted such situations in the Czech Republic and his never say never attitude, he soldiered on. He needed a break through. 

Everything seemed to go well while in trials until the unexpected happened, he sustained an ankle injury only two weeks with the team. He was disappointed and heartbroken. His dream was coming to shutters but unknown to him he had already done more than enough to convince the technical bench.

“The conditions here are tough. I am not used to snow so it’s very hard for me. Then training with an injury while at the same time you have to prove how good you are, it’s not easy. You are constantly under pressure.” He told Mukuru Slum news

The former Kamukunji student is now taking things step by step. Though he has great ambitions and aspirations, he is tackling his hurdles one by one.

“First I want to get myself to compete in the 1^st or 2^nd league to gain more pro football experience. Then try and see myself compete at the highest level of football because it’s not easy as it look on TV.” Says Odhiambo

He is optimistic that the young talented football players from the now crime plagued Mukuru Slums can equally make it if only they remain focused.

“Everything is achievable and hard work pays in the end and no matter what you go through you’ll always find a decent place for champions but to achieve this Sacrifice and hard work are key ingredients.” He advises

humble Maurice

Maurice is certain that he and his mentor Patrick Oboya have set the ball rolling for the youngsters in Mukuru Slums and together they have promised to mentor young boys and girls so that they become successful in life. Oboya runs a football academy in Mukuru-Mariguini area where he was born and bred.

 

There you have it; something good is actually out of Mukuru Slums and believe it when they say that these hugely talented young men straight from the shanties are going to mesmerize football lovers across the globe and this is just the beginning you haven’t seen anything yet.