EXCLUSIVE: How thriving Mathare United rookie was forced back to football

When the 2018 calendar was meandering to its final months, Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Brian Bwire in the company of Kennedy Omari, a grassroots based coach stormed to Norman Ogolla's home in Makongeni and literally frog marched the budding Mathare United left back to the pitch.

The unwanted effects of puberty had taken a toll on Ogolla who had elected to prematurely call it a day at the start of the year after a slight altercation with Omari, a tactician whose eye for raw talents has helped churn out technically gifted players from the area over time.

The 18-year old who by then was a form three student could no longer take instructions from the man who had nurtured him from the tender age and decided to hang his boots for almost ten months.

Omari flanked by Bwire who had just finished his O levels at Kakamega High School could not sit pretty and watch the promising talent go down the drain for no apparent reason.

Determined to save the talent, they gathered courage and made inroads to their home with one mission, to implore the fleet footed player to soften his stance and rescind his decision to quit.

80'|Freekick to Mathare

Norman Ogolla is Fouled by Mwana

Mathare 0-0 Bandari#MATBAN#BKPL

— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) January 22, 2021

After weeks of persuasion from the duo who were backed by other young footballers, he obliged, dusted his boots which were gathering dust in the shoe rack and returned to the pitch.

"Peer pressure nearly ruined my career after quitting football for the better part of 2018.It is a year which I will never forget after I joined Dagoretti from Kakamega only to return to the latter few months later. It is a year which I troubled my coaches at Makongeni and since I could not take their reproach I quit. However, coach Omari alongside Bwire and other teammates encouraged me to come back," he said.

Having put his head down, the rusty Ogolla who was full of regrets for squandering almost a year returned to the pitch determined to break to the Green Commandos team which by then had booked a slot in the National Super League.

His plan came to pass and within the first month, he walked into Brenden Mwinamo's team after regaining his form which was crucial in inspiring the team to claim the 2017 nationals staged at the Shanzu Teachers Training College.

Green Commandos Youth system has been known to produce some of the country's top talents this window has seen departures of 3. All the best!

Norman Ogolla to Mathare United FC

Ronald Ashimoto to Wazito FC

Samson Otieno to Migori youth FC#FearTheTradition #CommandTheGame #GCSC pic.twitter.com/W7NwZhBa6k

— Green Commandos (@GCommandos) January 29, 2020

He would however not last long in the second tier after Commandos, Kangemi United and Thika United were relegated from the second tier in June 2019.

The youngster was part of the tens of players who were not willing to sink into the division one league.

Although he was in his final year in high school, the last born in a family of two gathered courage and attended trials at Mathare United the following month and luckily he made the cut.

The trials were conducted by coach Salim Ali following the absence of his boss Francis Kimanzi who was attached to the national team which was flying the country's flag in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

At sixteen years, and with scores of experienced players trying their luck at Mathare, his talent caught Ali's eye and was handed a five-year contract.

He however had to return to Kakamega to wrap his studies before joining his teammates in December 2019.

Fresh from school, Ogolla walked to the Goan Institute grounds determined to justify his inclusion into the 2008 Kenyan Champions' fold and dispel the notion that his success during the trials was a fluke.

"A friend of mine informed me that Mathare had plans to conduct trials in July 2019 and I decided to give it a try. I gave my best and in the final day, coach Salim asked me remain behind only to be handed a lengthy contract. It was a dream come true to me," he disclosed.

As fate would have it, his ambition was disrupted after the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country in March last year.

Besides, edging out Kenyan international David Owino had proved a daunting task for him.

" I found life in the top flight slightly tough but I was adapting well until coronavirus came. I had made it to the bench twice against Bandari and Posta Rangers. I was also on the verge of getting my first ever league start," he rued

Patience for playing time at the big stage finally paid off to Ogolla when Owino ditched Mathare for KCB in October last year a transfer which left Salim with no option other than to trust the rookie. As back up to Ogolla, Salim re-signed Moses Mburu who left just three months prior.

Norman Ogolla ready to fill the void left by left-back David Owino who left for KCB this season.#Pepeta #GreatnessWithin#BKPL

(Image: @MathareUtd)https://t.co/BFLszyfo8X

— Pepeta ???? (@pepeta_ke) January 11, 2021

Ogolla finally made his league bow at the start of the season and has clocked full time in all fifteen league matches, taking all corners on the right and has an assist to his name.

"When I was named in the starting team in our season opener against Sofapaka, I knew the opportunity to market myself had come. I was tensed considering the calibre of Sofapaka's players but I grew in confidence and I have never looked back," he opened up.

Ogolla who revealed that Kakamega Homeboyz winger Stephen Etyang was the toughest opponent he has ever faced picked former Harambee Stars utility player David 'Cheche' Ochieng to thank for holding his hand and helping him erase mistakes from his game.

"I am lucky to play alongside Cheche a player I grew up watching on television while at the national team. He encourages me and directs me on what to do on the pitch," he said.

With age on his side, Ogolla envisages a trophy laden career and a chance to play in the national U20, Rising Stars, U23 Emerging Stars and the senior team.

" I believe what I have achieved in the few games we have played is there for all to see as far as getting a call up to the junior teams is concerned. I hope I will be considered in the next assignments as well as win titles at club levels," he added.

Bio

Name - Norman Ogolla Odhiambo

Date of birth 1/03/2003

Height. 5ft

Weight. 72kg

Education.

Kaloleni Primary School - 2008-2015

Kakamega high school -2016-2019

Favorite Meal - Fish and Ugali

Best friend at club - John Mwangi