STARS ABROAD: Kenya’s foreign-based players who should find other clubs

The players have been subjected to a number of difficult circumstances which make their stay at their current clubs untenable hence the need to change environment

Kenya has a number of players plying their trade in foreign leagues around the world and while some, such as Michael Olunga and Joseph Okumu are flying, others are having it rough.

The players ditch the local leagues for better paying offers abroad which also gives them exposure, offering an opportunity to get spotted by one some of the continental or world’s leading teams.

However, not every move goes according to plan with various reasons such as lack of, or limited playing time, poor treatment and injuries making life difficult. In such instances, a change of environment is needed.

Pulse Sports highlights Kenya’s foreign-based players who should find another club for various reason.

Joash Onyango

Joash Onyango’s problems do not have to do with lack of playing time but rather poor treatment.

Onyango was the darling of Simba SC fans when he joined the Tanzanian giants from Gor Mahia in 2020 and enhanced his reputation further by rescuing a point in his first Kariokoo derby but his relationship with Wekundu wa Msimbazi supporters has since deteriorated.

This season, Onyango has been the punching bag for Simba fans who seem to blame him whenever they lose. The online abuses he was subjected to after his club lost to Raja and Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League suggest that Simba fans no longer take him to heart and it is of no use hanging around next season.

‘Berlin Wall’ still has one year remaining on his contract and just this week, refuted claims that he had submitted a transfer request over allegedly being ‘fed up’ by the poor treatment, but he is better off where is loved. Singida United and his former club Gor have been reported as some of his suitors but the queue could be longer if he decides to quit.

Brian Mandela

Brian Mandela has stagnated since moving to South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns from Maritzburg United three years ago. He might have won his third straight league title but the 28-year-old centre-back has been more of a spectator than a key player.

This season, Mandela has made just 14 appearances for the club, nine in the league, with the other five coming in cup games, but you have to go back to March 18 as the last time he featured for the Brazilians during their 1-1 draw with Sudan’s Al-Hilal in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

Since then, Sundowns played 14 games in all competitions but Mandela featured in none. Even after they sealed their sixth straight league title at the start of April, coach Rhulani Mokwena still did not deem it fit to field Mandela in subsequent matches despite being available.

Even though his stint at the club has also been hampered by injuries, Mandela, who has an option to extend his contract by a further year, should opt out and look for regular playing time, given he is still in his prime.

Anthony Akumu

Anthony Akumu signed for Japan top flight side Sagan Tosu in December 2022 with high hopes after being released by South Africa giants Kaizer Chiefs but things have not gone to plan.

Teddy, as he is popularly known, has featured in just four games in five months, and started his first match for the club on Wednesday when they hammered Tagevajaro Miyazaki 5-1 in the Emperor’s Cup.

Even in that game, Akumu did not last 90 minutes as he was taken off at halftime, taking his total minutes at the club to 177 minutes in nearly six months.

He has been afforded 55 minutes twice in matches against Hokkaido Sapporo and Iwata, before getting 22 when Sagan Tosu faced the latter in the corresponding fixture, added to the 45 on Wednesday.

To show just how down he is in the pecking order, Akumu is yet to feature in a league match and has not even made the squad for any of Sagan Tosu’s 16 J-League fixtures, being restricted to cameo roles in cup games.

David Owino

David Owino is another who should consider pastures new due to his uncertainty at Zambian side Napsa Stars.

Calabar, as many know him, has rarely had a look in since joining the club from Zesco United two years ago and while injuries have disrupted him this season, he has been underutilised when available.

The 35-year-old is in the twilight years of his career and needs regular playing time which will also keep him in top shape given his niggling injuries in recent years.

Napsa media officer Gee Chipasula recently said the centre-back’s future will be decided soon but he should already be looking for his next destination given his time at the club appears over.

Richard Odada

The 22-year-old former AFC Leopards midfielder joined MLS club Philadelphia Union in August 2022 from Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade where he only made two league appearances in three years.

In Philadelphia, Odada has been a bench warmer for the senior side in their league matches as he is yet to play a top flight game.

He is now forced to contend with spells in the second-string side which is denying him the exposure and experience he had hoped for. While quitting Philadelphia permanently would be too soon, a loan somewhere else where he will play regularly would be suitable for the Kenyan international.