Sofapaka defensive midfielder Jack Ong’anya has revealed that missing out on moves to top-flight sides earlier in his career only fueled his hunger for success this season.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News Ong’anya is currently enjoying his first Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) campaign with Sofapaka, having joined the club at the end of the 2023/2024 season from FKF Division One outfit Green Commandos.##NAJAVA_MECA_8939233##At Green Commandos, he had the honour of captaining a talented trio of Kelly Madada and Christopher Koloti (both now with AFC Leopards), and Gor Mahia’s Mark Shaban.However, while his teammates secured moves to Premier League clubs following a promising campaign in which Commandos narrowly missed out on National Super League (NSL) promotion in the 2022/2023 season, Ong’anya found himself left behind.The keenly observant defender trained with Tusker under then-head coach Robert Matano and was primed to sign for the Brewers.But just when the move seemed imminent, the deal collapsed.He returned to Commandos for another season, working quietly but persistently, before securing trials with Gor Mahia in August 2024.Lucas Maina donates Ksh100,000 Mozzart Bet Cup award to former team in KiberaOnce again, the door failed to fly open. It was not until a reunion with Matano, then at Sofapaka, that Ong’anya finally got his break in the top flight.Since arriving at Batoto Ba Mungu, Onganya has adapted quickly, cementing his place even after Ezekiel Akawana took over as head coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_8939721##Now, with nine goals to his name, and fresh from netting his first-ever professional hat-trick, ironically against Tusker, the very club that once passed on him, the 20-year-old is finding redemption on the pitch.“Before the game, I just wanted to enjoy myself,” Onganya told Mozzart Sport.“I didn’t think much about the fact that Tusker once wanted to sign me. But after the hat-trick, it felt good to show them what they missed. It was just a nice moment.”Ong’anya admits it was difficult watching his former teammates advance in their careers while he lagged behind.Victor Wanyama takes first step towards coaching careerBut he stayed grounded, thanks in part to the support system around him.“It was kind of a setback when the others were leaving,” he said. “But I had good handlers in Jared Anyira and the Commandos management. They kept telling me my time would come.I believed maybe my Premier League moment hadn’t arrived yet. So I stayed calm, went back to Commandos. After the league ended, I came to Nairobi and trained with Gor Mahia. Maybe I didn’t impress them, or maybe I wasn’t fully ready. But then Matano came for me, he believed in what I could do,” Onganya added.##NAJAVA_MECA_8939875##That belief, he says, extended beyond his coach.“Having the trust of my teammates and the technical bench has really helped me become a better player.”After last weekend’s exploits, the former Kakamega High School skipper says he now has growing confidence and performances matching his potential.
