By Fredrick Nadduli aka Razor,
It is the ultimate dream of every footballer and aspiring sports personality to make it to the paid ranks in their prospective careers and be engaged fulltime as professionals.
The elusive search for greener pastures drives footballers to decisions that either shape their future or wreck their rather fragile careers.
Hitherto vibrant leagues in West Africa were an enticing prospect in the years of yore owing to their sound management, and emerging talents like Liberian George Weah and celebrated Chadian Japheth N’doram opted to ply their craft in Tonnere Yaoundé, where they sharpened their skills, as opposed to the more lucrative mainstream European leagues that they went on to conquer.
That notwithstanding, experts lend credence to the fact that football at the top level has a short lifespan and every opportunity must be exploited. Kenyan players are trooping to Zambia at a rather alarming rate.
‘CALABAR’ THE PIONEER
When Kenya international defender David Owino made clear his intention to quit then champions Gor Mahia for Zesco in Zambia, eyebrows were raised and many pundits questioned the move.
It was like playing Russian roulette, they argued. Fresh from a stellar season with Kenya’s top club, and enjoying the best form of his fledgling career, a good percentage of the country expected him to either extend his stay with Gor or move to Europe, or South Africa at the very least.
The MTN Zambian Super League is after all considered a tad lower and less superior to the SportPesa Kenyan League.
True to form, the player nicknamed ‘Calabar’ for his solid performances against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Northern port city of Calabar, had other ideas.
After careful scrutiny of the numerous offers beckoning for him, Zambia was his next stop.
That was a big gamble, but Owino had it all figured out. The rest is history; as the player went on to command a solid display at the heart of his new team as Zesco swept all before it to claim the Championship.
The Libero went on to win individual accolades and earned rave reviews in a dream debut season.
The gamble had paid off handsomely, and the usually skeptical Kenyan faithful finally came to terms with his erstwhile dicey decision.
David Owino had proved his doubters and critics wrong.Around the same time, AFC Leopards and Kenya speedy forward Jacob Keli landed on the Zambian shores. And while Owino ended up in Ndola, Keli arrived in Kalampa to play for Nkana, shaking off thoughts of a rancorous transfer from the Kenyan giants.
The striker, by his own admission, had a somewhat less glamorous time as his international team-mate. The former player- of- the- year has groped for form in Zambia even though reports suggest the financial aspect is better than at his last club in Kenya, which could imply Kenyan footballers are sacrificing career growth and future prospects at the altar of quick bucks. It is a catch-22 situation for these pro wannabes.
EXODUS CONTINUES
Not to be left behind, Anthony Akumu and Jesse Were have jumped onto the bandwagon.
The gravy train has picked up the lanky duo. Akumu, a former Gor Mahia midfielder, signed for Zesco from Sudan outfit Khartoum Nationale while Jesse joins him at their new club from Tusker.
The center-forward leaves hot on the heels of a successful club season where he emerged top scorer in the Premier League with a record 22 goals to run away with the golden boot.
He is expected to fill the shoes of departing Zambia international Winston Kalengo who weighed in with 18 goals for champions Zesco prior to his move to Congo Brazzaville side AC Leopards.
Which begs the questions; why are Kenyan footballers suddenly decamping to Zambia? Is the carrot being dangled too sweet to resist? Do they suffer from the complex referred to as ‘fear of the unknown?’ Are they growing scared of other uncharted territories?
Keen observers may be faulted for pointing out that these players endeavor to ride on the success of their pioneer David Owino.
True or not, this theory is quite sticky. Either way, they have their work cut out. While they may take comfort in having a country man already established there to show them the ropes, Owino took the faithful leap and carved a niche for himself with virtually nobody to guide him on the rigours of the Zambian league, when the place was virgin territory for players from the East.
These young professionals have the unenviable task of finding their feet pretty fast, something their mate did with relative ease, and their efforts will certainly be put under severe scrutiny by the ever discerning Kenyan public. It would be wise if they got the same recipe spot-on.
The lure of better pay and remuneration provides an alternative perspective. Money is an important ingredient in the broth of a career sportsman.
Top clubs in Zambia reportedly offer finer packages compared to their Kenya counterparts.
While what works out for one might fail for another, each must find his own road.
That is a dynamic of life we certainly cannot wish away. It has stubbornly stuck with the human race since time immemorial.
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