Former Gor Mahia forward John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 30, citing health concerns.Ndirangu announced on Thursday via his Facebook page, revealing that his ongoing battle with an illness has forced him to hang his boots.The former Nakuru All Stars striker has spent the last five months in and out of Mbagathi Hospital receiving treatment.##NAJAVA_MECA_8684717##In an emotional social media post, Ndirangu expressed his heartbreak over stepping away from the game he loves.”I’m in tears as I say this 😭😭. I never thought one day I’d say goodbye to football ⚽️. Due to my condition after I got ill, I can’t even kick the ball. Maybe in the future, I will—only God knows. I have decided to retire from active football at 30. I want to thank everyone who has supported me—my agent and guardian Robert Muthomi, my coaches (Simon Mulama, Ezekiel Akwana, and Francis Mwangi), my family, and all my fans. Much respect 🙏. Kila hatua dua 🙏.”John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu has retired from football. A few players in this country would match his technical abilities. Sad, he didn’t realise his full potential.Peak Nakuru AllStars had him as their poster boy. @pepeta_ke pic.twitter.com/nr5nzNYVV1— Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) February 6, 2025 Before his retirement, Ndirangu last played for Kenya Police FC in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL). He played a key role in helping the team earn promotion from the National Super League (NSL).However, in 2023, he was among six players released by head coach Francis Baraza as the team sought reinforcements.Ndirangu’s rise to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) began in 2014 when he caught national attention by scoring twice for Nakuru All Stars in a shock 2-0 win over Gor Mahia.NSL: Kibera Black Stars eye-top spot ahead of SamWest Blackboots clashThat performance opened doors, and then-Gor coach Bobby Williamson, later appointed Harambee Stars coach, frequently included him in his national team call-ups.”I think my career took off when Nakuru All Stars played Gor Mahia and we won 2-0. I scored both goals. Their coach, Bobby Williamson, later became the Harambee Stars coach, and he always included me in his squads,” Ndirangu told The Star in a past interview.Born into a footballing family, Ndirangu was destined for the sport. His father was a goalkeeper, his mother a defender, and his older brother played for Oserian and Sher Karuturi. His sisters also played in school.”We had footballers in our family. I think we inherited the talent. I started playing professionally in Form 2 when I joined Nakuru All Stars. That team played a major role in my success,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8684300##To sharpen his skills, Ndirangu benefited from the mentorship of former Kenya international Simon Mulama during his formative years.”Every coach I worked with inspired me in different ways, but Simon Mulama and Peter Okidi played the biggest role,” he acknowledged.After excelling at Nakuru All Stars, Ndirangu joined AFC Leopards in 2016 before moving to their arch-rivals Gor Mahia in 2017. With Gor, he won the Kenyan Premier League title and earned his first Harambee Stars call-up.Mathare United head coach infuriated by players after dropping points against TalantaAt one point, his agent arranged trials with several Serbian clubs, but a move abroad failed to materialize. Despite that setback, he had the privilege of facing English Premier League side Everton while playing for Gor Mahia.He later featured for Kakamega Homeboyz, Sofapaka, Mount Kenya United, and finally Kenya Police, where he played his last professional match before retiring.##NAJAVA_MECA_8684136##Ndirangu’s retirement at 30 is a heartbreaking end to a career that once promised so much. However, his impact on Kenyan football, particularly his breakout performances with Nakuru All Stars and Gor Mahia, will not be forgotten.
