When Gor Mahia recruited Nicholas Kipkirui from Zoo Kericho in the January transfer window few pundits thought the lad would announce his arrival by scoring against Egypt’s feared Zamalek FC of all teams.
First of all, one would not have imagined that coach Hassan Oktay would gamble by throwing a greenhorn to play the crucial lead striker position in such a highly charged match.
In a game where everything counted, what did the tactician see in the youngster that others did not? The player was literally thrown in the deeper end of the pool and left to swim upwards. Swim Kipkirui did and so successfully by scoring the third crucial goal.
Perception is sometimes not everything. In the prism of our Kenya football, Kipkirui had everything against him. First his surname betrayed him, second he had never played on a bigger platform.
Playing against K’Ogalo’s international arch rivals, stage fright would have been a real issue. Third, he was plugged to play number 9 for none other than Gor Mahia FC in front of their kowtowing crazy, demanding and unforgiving fans.
In reference to the history of the club, Kipkirui had occupied a position ya kujipima against previous amazing strikers like William Chege Ouma, Hesborn Omolo, Peter Dawo, Stephen Odiaga, Stephen Okumu, Dan Sserunkuma, Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere. All serial goal poachers.
I am sure many are waiting for the fans to bless the lad from Kericho with a nickname. Thereafter the call-up road to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) bound Harambee Stars is the next option.