Only a handful of players in the local scene can boast of having made their top-flight debuts while still in high school. A coach must rank you highly if this is to happen, and you must be one exceptional talent. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsMoses Mwangi, 24 now, was once that name at Ulinzi Stars while he still pursued his A-level education at Kakamega High School. There was plenty to be hoped for, banking on the boy’s potential and stints with the now defunct SoNy Sugar, Kariobangi Sharks and later Ulinzi Stars (again) were evidence enough. Kshs1.2 billion valued Harambee Stars prospect backed to replace Man City-bound star at WolvesA devastating knee injury, however, brought everything to a standstill, and Mwangi had to leave the scene dejected. He says he is back now. “Actually, I could have made a return to the top flight in the season just ending, but I had to be honest with myself, I was way out of form and passed on an opportunity. I wanted to get my fitness levels back to where they were in the past,” says the diminutive forward.##NAJAVA_MECA_8971596##A hot prospect even at the time of his exiting the stage prematurely, Mwangi had just been sought out by head coach William Muluya at Kariobangi Sharks. The gaffer offered him a chance to come back, but he instead requested six more months as he worked on his fitness. Dandora Youth FC, languishing in the drop zone of their FKF Division One league, was a perfect fit, and so he joined Wycliffe Opondo’s charges, promising experience- but only if he could work his way through fitness fast enough.Why Harambee Stars still needs Victor Wanyama’s services”Wycliffe Opondo was the coach at Dandora at the time, and he told me that the team could use a little experience up front as they were struggling to get goals. Overall, the team wasn’t occupying a good position in the standings,” adds Mwangi, a KPL U20 MVP in his glory days. Contributing 15 goals (seven scored and eight assisted) and seeing Dandora Youth finish the season safely at position 11 on the log, Mwangi thinks he has not only managed to help with what he had been tasked with but also achieved his target of bringing his fitness level up. “I feel ready now. If Coach Muluya’s offer was to come now, I can at least say I am confident of going back into the top flight. There are teams that have made approaches so far, but as always, nothing tangible yet,” reveals Mwangi.##NAJAVA_MECA_8971595##Mwangi’s brief post-high school career before the injury put everything to a halt, had him jump at a SoNy Sugar FC offer just after form four examinations. He wanted a team that he could at least get playing time in, so he says. Ulinzi, his club through high school, was just too crowded with experience, and he doubted if he could get regular playing time. “It was a calculated decision. Even though Ulinzi had given me some cameo appearances while in school, I wanted something consistent and longer minutes too, so I chose SoNy, and indeed I got a lot of playing time there,” he recalls. Former Harambee Stars striker facing 8 charges in EnglandA high-flying Sharks would soon come calling, and with the prospect of the CAF Confederations Cup on the offer, Mwangi headed to the capital. Here, international experience came in. From the CAF Confederation Cup matches to the Super Cup. With a bagful of medals and trophies at Sharks, he now thought it wise to head ‘home’ to Ulinzi Stars; he was ready for the bigger challenge. Then came the injury. “I was gutted leaving Ulinzi. Mentally, it took a toll on me, and while recuperating, I decided to take some time off. I am glad I did and hope things work out better as I aim for a return to the Premier League,” he concludes.
