“I loved the meaning behind it and felt the same way,” Ryan Ogam starts me off on the backfoot as I engage him on his now famous celebration, and one that has gotten him a few eyeballs in recent weeks.It is the “mask” celebration we are talking about, coined from arguably the second-most in-form striker in the world after Ogam (tongue-in-cheek) – Sporting Lisbon’s Victor Gyokeres.”Nobody cared until he put on the mask,” Ogam educates me on the celebration backstory, which apparently is consistent in a movie character – Bane – who, despite being a villain from the Dark Knight Rises, is known for his strength, and the only man to have bested Batman both physically and mentally.”I feel like it’s the same story for me,” Ogam says. “This player out of nowhere, now scoring goals, and people caring after I put the mask on.”Quite rightly so, as on the day of the interview, I am the second in a line of journalists keen to get a grasp of who this man really is.”Just a player with big dreams,” Ogam says with a steely look that makes you understand what keepers are up against anytime they see this lanky figure approach them with venom.🤷♂️| Ryan Wesley Ogam Rabok.That’s the name. #KenyaMilele #Brewers4Life pic.twitter.com/WEeFcxcpWI— Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) December 15, 2024 Ogam is no ordinary player.In his FKF Premier League debut, the man who comes from a rich footballing background is on top of his form, scoring 13 goals in 14 matches, and has over the past two months scooped Tusker’s player of the month award.That, coupled up with a couple fan player of the month awards, has everyone talking.”I didn’t expect everything to happen this quickly,” Ogam says of his fast start in the league. “I didn’t even think I’d be playing as a striker.”He remembers the day he was told he would be shifting from his normal defensive midfield position to a central striker at Tusker.”It was during the pre-season friendlies in Uganda and coach [Charles Okere] came up with this idea that I should play as a number nine,” Ogam, an alumni of Kakamega and Dagoretti High School says. “For some reason I ended up scoring, and that’s how it stuck till now.”To shift a position would seem crazy, but not for Ogam, who grew up with Okere and his dad in his ear.💕| Striker Ryan Ogam was emotional as he spoke heartfelt words of gratitude to his parents for the support they have offered him so far in his career.Watch more of this interview on our YouTube channel: https://t.co/q4lMjQ4Dap pic.twitter.com/4fMYuqxumJ— Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) November 30, 2024 The 20-year-old is the son of former Gor Mahia defender David Rabuok, who Okere surprisingly coached in his last playing days at Ngara Pelico.”We come from the same hood as Okere,” Ogam says. “When dad (who also played for Mahakama, Sofapaka and Nairobi City Stars) was approaching retirement, Okere was his coach and that’s how I came to know him.”Little did the then young boy know that six years down the line, he would also be under Okere’s wings.”I was part of his team in the MYSA Norway Cup in 2017, and since then, he has been part of my life.”Ryan Ogam’s two qualities that impress Tusker coach Charles OkereI am interested to know if Okere had any role in him joining Tusker.”We spoke consistently,” Ogam says. “He at some point invited me to Tusker Youth when I was still with my previous team – Rainbow. Back then, I was so keen to getting the team promoted. Guess it was just a matter of time I obliged this year, and here we are.”For a player whose dad is a former footballer and whose godfather is legendary keeper Arnold Origi, Ogam is taking his steps with lots of counsel.”My dad at some point wanted me to prioritize school and education, but I wanted to play football,” Ogam, who earlier this year had a taste of football, albeit short-term, at Dubai-based Elite Falcons says.Kenyan midfielder moves to the UAE”I even had a scholarship to go study in the US this year but the deal fell through. After leaving Rainbow (now defunct), I had a conversation with my dad, just to clear up what I wanted to do.”And so what was it?“Playing in the Premier League with a plan to moving abroad.”That’s when it becomes apparent that his dream is bigger than just dominating the FKF Premier League, a scintillating break-out season that has now seen him called up to the senior national team – Harambee Stars – for the second time in months.😍| Things you love to see.#KenyaMilele #Brewers4Life pic.twitter.com/EDzD36sd59— Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) December 28, 2024 “Everyone at home except myself are Arsenal fans,” Ogam says. “We always make the joke that if they’d switch sides, I’ll have to be walking out at Old Trafford in a Manchester United jersey. That’s where I want to be.”All that I am doing here is building a platform to getting me there. Hopefully there are people watching,” he adds.##NAJAVA_MECA_8598396##Based on that high ambition, I dare ask him about whether he eyes breaking Elvis Rupia’s all time record of 27 goals in the Premier League.”No. That’s not my main goal. I would want to do it, but I’d be lying to say that that’s something I am looking at.”So now, with a bit of knowledge about him, Ogam ends by saying: “I want people to some day remember me as a player who came, conquered, and inspired the upcoming generation.”
