)
McDonald Mariga has explained how his late mother Mildred's spiritual intervention after moving to Sweden in 2006 alongside his brother helped him curve a successful football career in Europe.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga has described his late mother Mildred Wanyama as a “God-fearing” and “prayerful” person whose unwavering faith helped both he and his brother Victor curve successful careers in Europe.
Mariga, who played for Tusker and Kenya Pipeline before launching his professional career in Sweden, struggled to get going during his formative years playing grassroots football back in Kenya.
Eventually, his efforts bore fruit, and after stints at Enkopings SK and Helsinborg IF, he moved to Italy, playing for Parma before sealing a move to Inter Milan in 2010, a club he won the famous treble with under Jose Mourinho in 2010.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
)
09:30 - 05.07.2025
Benni McCarthy Suffers CHAN 2024 Setback After Harambee Stars Forward Joins Paid Ranks Abroad
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will have to do without one of his key players at CHAN 2024 after he left the country following a big-money transfer abroad.
"My Prayers Were For Your Future"
)
Recalling his humble beginnings in grassroots football while paying tribute to his mother during her funeral service in Soy, Uasin Gishu, Mariga said, “I was playing for a small team trying to earn promotion to Division Two, and we used to lose a lot. I told my mum, ‘Every time you pray for us, we still lose — please pray for us to win.’”
“She laughed and said, ‘My prayers aren’t for the next game. I’m praying for your future.’”
That faith, he said, proved to be prophetic. When he moved to Sweden to begin his professional career, the transition was anything but smooth. “It was hard. I wasn’t used to the weather, the food, or life without her. I went to the club president and told him I couldn’t manage. I was ready to quit,” he said.
But his mother stepped in once again, this time by encouraging Victor to join him overseas. “Victor wasn’t in school at the time, so I asked mum to allow him to come support me. That gave me the push I needed to keep going,” Mariga revealed.
)
17:39 - 14.03.2025
Who is Athing Mu’s husband? Everything you need to know about her mysterious partner
American track star Athing Mu reportedly tied the knot with her little-known partner this month in what was a closely-guarded secret but who is her Prince Charming?
She Was There When I Lifted the Champions League
)
As both brothers’ careers blossomed — Mariga’s in Italy and Victor’s in Belgium and later the English Premier League — their mother remained a steady guiding presence.
“Even after we were apart, she always stayed involved. When I joined Inter Milan and got to play in the Champions League, she reminded me of that prayer — the one she made when I was still playing regional football,” he said.
“She said, ‘I told you — better days were coming.’ She was there when I lifted the Champions League trophy in 2010. That was her moment too.”
Mariga also celebrated his brother Victor’s journey. “When Victor played in the Champions League final for Tottenham, she was so proud. Even though he didn’t win, just seeing him at that level meant the world to her. She had prayed for both of us — and both dreams came true,” he said.
Now, with their mother gone, Mariga says her legacy will live on through the values she instilled. “She raised prayerful daughters, strong in faith. They’ll guide us now, and we’ll follow her example — grounded in humility and service to God.”
)
11:10 - 06.07.2025
Millions Beatrice Chebet Will Earn After Breaking 5000m World Record
Beatrice Chebet became the first woman to run the 5000m in under 14 minutes at the Prefontaine Classic.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)