Brian Eshihanda spend almost half of the 2020 calendar polishing his goal scoring instincts in a bid to clinch the ‘Golden Boot’ and inspire his boyhood club, Simba FC to clinch the Nabongolo Super Cup.Renowned football enthusiast and the current St. Peters High School, Mumias Principal, Cosmas Nabongolo had organised a tournament to keep the youths occupied in a year that saw sporting activities halted for months. Among the teams that enrolled for the tournament held in June at the institution’s grounds were Simba, an outfit that moulded Eshihanda in his formative years and would defy odds go on to claim it. Min 15Brian Eshihanda sends us up. Kichwa. Homeboyz 1-0 City— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) January 20, 2022 Eshihanda recalls that shortly before the first game, their reliable centre back suffered an injury and a decision was quickly made to have him play in his position, and this was what brought his breakthrough. He was deployed to the heart of the defence and despite finding himself deep in uncharted waters, he says he comfortably dealt with the opposing forwards and would go on to play the entire tournament as a centre back. Unbeknown to him, his performances as a centre back had caught the eye of the then Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Nicholas Muyoti who was part of the spectators who had turned up for the tournament.”I had played as as a forward until 2020 when I represented my boyhood in a grassroot tournament as a centre back. At the back of my mind, I had plans of carrying on as a striker after the tournament but after meeting Muyoti, he worked on my full transition, ” he narrated.Before the suspension of sporting activities, Eshihanda was plying his trade with division one outfit and the Nakuru based GDC but after meeting Muyoti, he landed an invitation to try out with Homeboyz whom he had represented the junior side in the KPL U20 tournament.Henry Juma is tied on 4 goals with Brian Eshihanda (Kakamega Homeboyz U20) and Morgan Oduor (@UshuruFC U20)— KPL (@TheOfficialKPL) August 26, 2016 Even though he admits that he wanted to play as a forward at Homeboyz, Muyoti, a defense-minded player in his active days remoulded him into a defender after it became clear that he was on the verge of losing the hard tackling Kennedy Onyango to Nairobi City Stars. Homeboyz handed the 21-year old two-year long contract in September and further ended his wait for his top flight bow in January when he partnered Sylvester Owino in central defence in their home barren draw against Nzoia Sugar.”I left GDC when Homeboyz invited me for trials in July. It was my wish to join their forward line but Muyoti had other thoughts and plans. He taught me how to conduct myself as a central defender and as a right back. I played my first league match against Nzoia and the rest is history, ” he said.Min 63Brian Eshihanda Towering header to put us level Homeboyz 1-1 Bandari— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) November 7, 2021 They say a leopard does not change its spots and Eshihanda’s case is no different. Despite playing as a defender he has not lost his scoring touch as he notched in two goals last season and had three against his name in the current term.Sofapaka demands reimbursment from Caretaker Committee before facing UlinziHe found the back of the net against Ulinzi Stars a week ago at Thika Stadium, a goal that saw them earn maximum points. He also scored in their home draw against Bandari and was on target in the 4-4 draw with Nairobi City Stars.”The best thing to have happened in my career was meeting Muyoti. I do not regret knowing him and working under him at all. He helped fish out the best in me. I also salute coach Mwalala (Bernard) for he has always believed in me and had been giving me the opportunity to play. I am also grateful to my boyhood club as were it not for them probably I would be languishing in the lower-tiers, ” he concluded.
