By Fredrick Nadulli aka Razor,
The phenomenon of African sons starring for their adopted nations in Europe is fast catching up,and now Kenya has joined the fray.Traditional powerhouses like France,Germany,Italy,Portugal etc have all benefited immensely from the priceless services of these immigrants.Names like Marcel Desailly,Zinedine Zidane,Gerald Asamoah,Jerome Boateng,Mario Balotelli and Louis Nani all come to mind.These and many others trace their roots to Africa but owe allegiance to Europe.
Divock Origi has joined them.
BRAZIL 2014
When Belgium left it late to beat Russia by a solitary goal to sail into the last sixteen at the World cup,the name on the score sheet was one Divock Origi.A fast rising star in Europe,the youngster has been the subject of passionate debates in Kenyan football circles.
He hails from a famous sports family.His two uncles,father and cousin are all former and present Kenya internationals.When he chose Belgium over Kenya,many understood his decision largely due to our football structures or lack of them.
His legendary father Mike Okoth Origi,who doubles up as his manager,knows the Kenyan system like the back of his hand.His cousin Arnold Origi got seriously injured playing for Kenya,was shunned,and almost called time on his international career for obvious reasons.With all these in hindsight,Divock’s chances of playing for Kenya were as remote as finding snow in the tropics.
Still,Kenyans loved him and wished him well.
When therefore the Lille centreforward hammered in an Eden Hazard neat cutback to see Belgium through,social media expectedly went viral.
“He is our son”,some proclaimed.”If only he was playing for the Harambee Stars”,others pondered.”Why did he forsake his motherland”,others lamented and questioned.
The streets and narrow alleys of Eastlands were filled with jubilant fans celebrating the historic goal.Pub banter was the same and for a moment the whole country took leave of political talk.Here was a son of Kenya writing history for a European country on the biggest stage.It was too sweet a moment to savour.
THE HORSE HAS BOLTED
After the dust settled,reality sank in that indeed Divock was gone.He has Kenyan roots but that is as far as it gets.He is Belgian,period.Many were left discussing in hushed tones how such talent slipped through our fingers without notice.’What could we have possibly done to make him look our way’,many a youth wondered aloud.Well,with the current state of football management and organisation in Kenya,the question should not be too difficult to answer.And what with the league being put on hold because members of the national team are going on a tour of Brazil courtesy of the head of state.Very noble gesture but bad timing.
Goodness knows how many Divocks are still out there for Kenya waiting to be discovered.Our general organisation needs a paradigm shift to make it attractive enough to lure these promising talents into our stable.We must make them opt for their motherland Kenya.
Divock Origi should be a case study.Over to our top honchos.
