Ex-AFC Leopards Midfielder on How COVID Shattered His Dream Fulham Move While in Spain

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Owen Mboya has opened up on how the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly brought an end to what would have been a dream move to Europe.

Speaking on the Tiki Taka show, Mboya, now with Posta Rangers, revealed that his football journey was built on self-learning and the structured development he received at Ligi Ndogo, which shaped his tactical understanding of the game.

“I am a fast learner, so catching up with things is easy. I learnt football through YouTube, as well as my trade with Ligi Ndogo, which enabled me to understand the tactical aspect of the game,” he said. “Most people lack basics, and Ligi Ndogo enabled me to understand why those basics were important.”

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In 2019, Mboya secured a rare opportunity to join a Fulham-linked academy in Valencia, Spain, where he trained and regularly played against youth sides in the Spanish system.

“I got an opportunity to move to Spain in 2019 all the way to 2020, before COVID stopped things and forced me to return,” he revealed.

“I was based in Spain and Valencia, as I was in a Fulham academy, but I would play against Spanish teams. They used to hand us allowances and then once the season was over, they would grant you a contract after being on youth terms.”

However, once the pandemic struck, the programme was disbanded and his promising future collapsed almost instantly. “The academy saw no need to continue accommodating us because of COVID, so they cut the programme and I had to return,” Mboya said. “I should have signed for them, but COVID effectively shattered that dream.”

After returning home, Mboya rejoined Ligi Ndogo before moving to AFC Leopards Youth. Ironically, it was during one of the club’s toughest moments that his breakthrough arrived. Leopards were under a FIFA transfer ban after failing to settle dues owed to former defender Soter Kayumba. Unable to sign new players, the club turned to its youth system.

Mboya, who had joined the youth team from Pioneer School, suddenly found himself in contention for a top-flight place. His promotion came alongside Maxwell Otieno, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Eric Mbithi, Zachary Njite and Lamec Moendi during the 2021/22 season.

“When I came in, the likes of Lewis Bandi had already been promoted, and Brian Wanyama was about to be promoted to the senior team,” he recalled.

“Thanks to coach Hazard and Patrick Aussems, I was able to be promoted, alongside the likes of Giovanni Lukhumwa.”

Although the pandemic crushed his European ambitions, Mboya has successfully rebuilt his career locally and remains one of the rising midfield talents in the Kenyan Premier League.