Nairobi: Isaac Ochieng Onyango, a former Ulinzi Stars Football Club striker, explains how he was forced to come to terms with the end of his football career after he suffered a severe back injury 9 years ago and decided to become a mentor and a coach to young upcoming footballers in Kiambu County. Ochieng, who was best known by his nickname Saka, was a famous footballer who played for national soccer teams, his last team being the Ulinzi Stars, where he managed to score 12 goals for his team as a striker.
According to Kenya News Agency, Saka’s love for soccer began when he was in primary school, where he played for his primary and later secondary school teams, managing to take his schools to the national-level competition on several occasions. After completing his secondary school education, Saka joined the now-named Kisumu National Polytechnic to pursue his other passion, which is Civil Engineering, but his heart remained rooted in playing football.
While playing for his local grassroots football teams, his skills got the attention of the then-coach of the Ulinzi Stars Football Club, where he played as a striker until his career took a sudden turn when he fell into a ditch and suffered a serious back injury. The injury not only impacted his physical well-being but also took a toll on his mental health and led him to quit his dream of becoming an international football player. During this time when he was not in the field, he still offered support and guidance to his teammates.
Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and he was unable to return to the field as a professional player. Holding onto his passion for sports, Saka decided to dedicate himself to coaching the youths of Kiambu through sharing his long-learned football skills and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. The long road to recovery was filled with self-doubt and frustration. However, he found relief in the support of his family, friends, and teammates, who stood with him.
Over time, Saka formed Blue Raiders Football Club in Kiambu Town, where he now coaches two teams: one with much younger players from the ages of 6-16 years old and another team with players from the ages of 17 to 30 years old. Apart from the team he formed, he also coaches school football teams like St. Hannah Primary School, ACK Cathedral Primary School, Tena City, and the Kiambu Rising team. Saka also does mentorship programmes to sensitise the youth against drug abuse, alcoholism, and crime.
He also used his influence to find school fee sponsors for more than 10 bright, talented boys in Kiambu County to join secondary school and one to join university. ‘My advice is for us to rise above our challenges and overcome them by being even greater and not use them to destroy us, because there is always something great in everything no matter the situation if only we look a little bit deeper,’ said Saka.
Although his playing career has taken a downward spiral, Saka’s passion for soccer underscores sharing his knowledge and experience to help the upcoming young football stars reach their full potential. As he moves forward, his legacy as a dedicated coach and mentor continues to grow.
