How players land clubs abroad
Football is primarily meant to enhance the career of athletes and especially in Kenya but then, there is no repudiating the fact that money talks in today’s world.
This is in spite of the fact that Kenya which is a renowned sports powerhouse teems with immense talent, especially in football, so much so that the likes of Michael Olunga and Victor Wanyama could attract the eyes of European scouts.
Nordic clubs, mainly from Sweden and Norway, are in the second-tier phase of European action and mostly rely on international players including those from academies to beef up their squads.
Never mind that most of them decamp from where they have been allied to join lucrative and big-spending teams, among them Olunga and dazzling Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johanna Omollo.
Former Harambee Stars players in Gor Mahia striker Bonventure Maruti and outlandish midfielder John “Mo” Muiruri are some of the players whose professional roots started in Sweden.
He appeared at the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia where it was claimed that he was being courted by some of the top clubs in the Maghreb country.
The 40-year-old moved to Europe in 2001 from Tusker and joined a second-tier Swedish side before being lured by a Belgian outfit KAA Gent where he spent four seasons.
Crossed over
Muiruri then crossed over to Germinal Beerschot in July 2004 before moving to Norway after a season, joining Moss FK, where he finally settled until he retired.
Lately, Tusker FC swash-buckling defender Eugene Asige was bitten by the bug to join professional ranks in Sweden which is increasingly being a preferred destination to most Kenyan players.
As he left the country for a new adventure in Sweden, Asike paid tribute to the club, having served in two different stints over the last six years.
Asike said: “I have had a good time at Tusker over the last six years. There have been ups and downs but looking back, the good memories overwhelm the bad memories. Being given the captaincy also gave me more responsibilities and I want to say thank you to the entire Tusker family.”
On his new move, Asike offered: “I am moving to Sweden to play for Karlstad and I have signed a one and a half year contract. Their ambition is to move up to the top tier and I want to go there and give my best. The work has already begun for me.”
Looking back at what has been his most memorable moment with the Brewers, Asike said, “In 2016, we won the double, but last season was the best for me. Leading the team to the title as a captain and also being named as the defender of the tear was the highlight of my time here at Tusker.”
He said that he has learnt to have a winning mentality in everything not just on the field but also in his life outside football.
