Omurwa credits his rise to Shakava

Highly prized Wazito FC centre back Johnstone Omurwa has expressed his admiration for current Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava as he revealed how the player played a crucial part in making his move to Wazito possible.

The 23 year old, in an interview on the club’s monthly magazine, narrated how, as a kid who only dreamt of playing in the top tier Football Kenya Federation Premier League, he would model his game around the strengths of the league winning defender.

“I used to look up to Harun Shakava during his first stint as Gor Mahia captain. We come from the same area as him, and at the time, I was still a teenager. I liked how he marshaled the defense line. He inspired me to become what I am today,” the Harambee Stars international is quoted on the magazine.

Omurwa who was part of the squad that helped Wazito gain promotion from the National Super League (NSL) to the top tier in 2017 went on to state how Shakava was instrumental in sealing the transfer to his current work station.

“After completing my high school studies, Shakava recommended me to Frank Ouna, the then head coach at Wazito FC in 2017. I travelled from Kakamega to attend the Wazito trials at City Stadium where I showed my quality and signed for Wazito before the 2017 NSL season. I was a regular starter and I am glad I helped the team earn its maiden promotion to the KPL at the end of that grueling season,” he said.

Being one of the longest serving members of the team and the assistant to captain Bernard Ochieng’ in the squad, Omurwa stated his desire to propel the team forward in what has been positive strides being undertaken by the management of the club to ensure the club achieves its targets.

“I’m one of the old boys in the current Wazito team. So I know where we want to take this team. As the vice captain, I always prefer to lead by example. I want to inspire the rest of my teammates through my performances in every training session and league match. I also try and help the new lads who join the team to adopt as fast as possible,” he remarked.

Currently, Wazito sit 6th in the 2020/2021 season on 25 points, eleven adrift of log leading Tusker. When the league resumes this weekend, the Ricardo Badoer-funded side travel all the way to Wundanyi Stadium in Taita to take on Sofapaka in a Saturday afternoon league match.