Patrick Oboya needs no introduction in Kenyan football. Arguably one of the most talented players to have played for Harambee Stars, he has lately fizzled out from public limelight after his last professional stint at Kakamega Homeboyz where he rarely featured.Mozzart Sport sat him for an exclusive One on One interview where he talks about how he broke up into the scene as a fresh-faced teenager from Mukuru Marigu-ini Slum, flew to Europe to begin his professional football journey and how the dream to play in the English Premier League came tumbling down.Briefly tell us about your early childhood and upbringingI grew up in Mukuru Mariguini Slum in Nairobi South B. I started playing football as a primary school kid. Back then we had many youth tournaments in our neighborhood but I have good memories of the Micky Weche Cup and the Inter-Mukuru Cup which was a competition between all the primary schools under the Sisters of Mercy umbrella in Mukuru Slums.I also remember crying a lot as a kid whenever we lost matches and my friends used to mock me but looking back I think I was just very passionate about football.When did you realise you had a special talent in football that could become your career? Once I finished my Primary School studies, Robert Muthomi took me under his wings and I started focusing on football. He was by then managing my close friend Maurice Odhiambo (former Kenya U20 Captain) and he (Maurice) used to tell him how good I was. He convinced him to come to the Railways Training Institute (RTI) ground one day and he was impressed with my skills. Muthomi later took me to Kamukunji High School and that is how my football journey started.You played alongside Victor Wanyama and other players at Kamukunji who ended up becoming household names in Kenyan football. How was it? We honestly had a very good team. Other than me, Wanyama, Aswani Kepha and Maurice Odhiambo, there were other very talented players but others never made it in football but that how life is set up. We were like a family and the friendship was top-tier. We won the Nairobi region Secondary Ball games title but lost to Mombasa High School in the National finals in Nakuru.How did you make the step up to league football? While still at Kamukunji High School we played a friendly against AFC Leopards and I impressed so much that they signed me up. Ghost Mulee also saw me while playing my first match for AFC Leopards and called me up into the National team. We were to play in the LG Cup in Egypt but that never happened. After that I joined Tusker but I didn’t stay there for long either as I got the trial invite from Czech Republic side MFK Ruzomberok.How were your early days in Czech Republic? I remember Robert (Muthomi) bought me a very long warm jacket and warned me about the cold weather that awaited me in Czech Republic. I didn’t even remove the jacket while on the plane (laughs). Once I landed in the airport it was a bit warm, or so I thought! I removed the jacket but the cold that hit me once I stepped out of the airport was crazy.How were the trials at Siad Most? Trials went on really well; within a week I knew I was going to get signed yet the trials were to last a month. We played a friendly match against Slavia Prague and the team wanted to sign me even before I could officially sign for Siad Most. Slavia Prague also later expressed interest when they were regulars in the UEFA Champions League but Siad Most once again refused to let me go. Siad Most had a working relationship with Chelsea and the president of the club was convinced that he would sell to the EPL club so he would decline any offers from other clubs.How was it after you signed for Siad Most?I settled pretty fast as I befriended a Ghanaian player who had stayed there for over a decade as well as two brothers from France, they really helped me. The pitches over there are good and the ball moves faster compared to what I was used to in Kenya. I had to adjust fast to settle and enjoy football.I noticed a shift in mentality after you came back from Europe for holidays earlier on in your career, why so? I realized I had to work harder since I was now at a totally different level and again whenever I was coming for holidays there were trials awaiting me so I had to stay in shape.Siad Most sent you out on loan to Trinec and later sold you out to Ruzomberok in Slovakia. How was the experience? I had an issue with Siad Most then and refused to play for the club so they had no option but to send me out on loan. I had landed a good deal with Israeli top side FC Ashdod but Siad Most refused to sell me. I also another good deal in Kuwait through the help of Jamal “Malo” Mohammed and the club was ready to buy out my contract but Siad Most once again refused. My contract was almost coming to an end but when I came back the club had forged my signature into an all-new 5-year contract. This really irked me.From Slokavia you moved to Vietnam on a short stint that really didn’t work out. Would you say this is where you career hit a snag? I was very unfit when moving to Vietnam and had added a lot of weight since I was coming back from a long-term injury. The team had placed a lot of expectation on me since I was coming from Europe but soon realized my fitness levels were wanting. They asked me to get a local club to play for at least six months to regain my fitness and that is how I joined Gor Mahia. I had a return ticket to Vietnam but never went back as I really enjoyed my time at Gor.Looking back at your career, what is that one important lesson that you learnt? Players should choose their managers and agents very wisely. That makes a huge difference. Most of them are always looking out at for themselves and not the players so it is important to find a genuine person to represent you.I think Siad Most really wasted me in my career. I was lucky to get a trial invite at Newcastle United but I never went since the president of the club (Siad Most) was convinced he would one way or the other land a good deal by selling me to Chelsea at some point in my career. That never happened and I think my life would have panned out differently if I went for Newcastle trial. A good agent / manager would have pushed for this to happen.33 caps, 4 goals and many assists for the National team. Any special memories while playing for Harambee Stars? My best memory has to be when our ranking was at 68 under coach Francis Kimanzi, the highest ever for our National team. Kenyan players could easily join teams in England and Europe back then.Good old days when Harambee Stars used to be 🔥. Can you name the players? 📸 Courtesy pic.twitter.com/bRLE0fsxCQ— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) March 11, 2021 What would you say about the current Harambee Stars set up? Back then when Kimanzi was the National team coach everything was going on well and we were performing well. I don’t know what happened and the federation replaced him with Antoine Hey. I think the biggest problem with the National team is the constant change of coaches. This only means there will always be major changes in the playing unit and therefore the results will be poor.Which players did you really enjoy playing alongside in the National team? Jamal “Malo” Mohammed will always hold a special place in my heart. He was such a brilliant passer of the ball. I always enjoyed playing with McDonald Mariga and Dennis Oliech.What was going through your mind when you scored that wonder goal against Angola at Nyayo?I think that is the best game in National team colours. Dennis Oliech kept telling me to shoot and when I got the chance after he flicked the ball back to me, I had to shoot as I was in a good position. It was a good goal.How would you describe Dennis Oliech? Oliech is a machine! I really enjoyed playing alongside him and providing assists for his goals. I remember when we played against Nigeria and prior to the game he promised fans he would score within 15 minutes and he did exactly that! I don’t think we will ever find a striker of Oliech’s caliber. Olunga (Michael) is trying but he needs to put in the extra effort.Who did you look up to while growing up? That has to be Ronaldinho. He was very skillful and I really enjoyed watching him.You recently joined fourth-tier side South B AllStars. Tell us about itMy target is to motivate the upcoming players in my neighborhood. I joined in as a player-coach and that is where I want to launch my coaching career.We are happy to announce the signing of the #DawoBrothers Patrick Oboya and Abraham Dawo welcome to the best team South of Nairobi #ThePrideOfSouthB pic.twitter.com/j0oO7YeECA— South B AllStars (@SouthBAllStars) May 27, 2021 What would you tell your younger self? I would really work harder, just that.Do you have any regrets as a footballer? I did not reach the heights as I expected to. Football has really brought joy and sorrow into my life in equal measure but I am still thankful for everything.Tell us about the Patrick Oboya CupMy target is to ensure football is Nairobi South is back to the level it was before and expose young talents to scouts. At the moment only Alex Dunga and Mike Kibwage are playing at the top level unlike before where almost every KPL team had a player from Nairobi South.Who are some of the people you’d say played a big role in your career? I have to give credit to my primary school coach Wambua. He played a big role in the early days and then Robert Muthomi of course. Ghost Mulee also scouted me when I was playing for AFC Leopards against Mathare Youth and put me in the National team – that made it easier for me to go to Europe.What would be your word of advice to upcoming footballers?Just work hard and invest whatever you get from football. Football is a good sports and it pays well. When you make it, remember to work even harder than before.
