AFC Leopards defender Kayci Odhiambo has revealed that he contemplated quitting football after suffering a career-threatening knee injury in April this year.The centerback hurt his knee while in action against Wazito at Kasarani Stadium then before undergoing reconstructive surgery in July.He had since been out and only made his return on Monday as Ingwe played to a one-all draw with Sofapaka in a football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium, featuring for slightly over an hour.Aussems revels at Kayci’s brave returnRecounting his time on the sidelines, the U20 national team trialist revealed that it was a dark moment for him, one that even made him think of calling it quits and reverting to school to try and carve a new career for himself.“Definitely it was crushing news for me and it became really tough when I had to stay months without recovering and I didn’t see myself getting better. I contemplated quitting football and going back to school so that I start another career,” he said as quoted on Capital Sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_6890959##Before his return to the pitch on Monday, coach Patrick Aussems had lauded his bravado during training upon resuming normal sessions with his teammates, highlighting that he did not shy from getting into tackles, something that players coming back from serious injuries normally encounter.Man, AFC Leopards fans chanting Kayci Odhiambo’s name as he limps past them in crutches must be the highlight of the derby so far. And he stopped and bowed to them. Lovely gesture#MashemejiDerby— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) May 8, 2022 He is delighted to finally don the blue and white of the 12-time Kenyan champions again and remains thankful to everyone that played a role in his road to recovery.“I really feel happy and delighted to be back. I was more than joyful just being back on the pitch and doing what I do best. It has been a really trying time for me but seeing myself back on the pitch, I just thank God. I was motivated by my teammates who had also undergone knew surgeries like Teddy (Esilaba) and Jaffary (Owiti). They encouraged me every time that it would be okay. They helped me do my recovery and gymwork and I am grateful for their support,””I feel great I really feel strong now and I am ready to work harder. The trust of the coach, my teammates and the fans too encourage me to work harder and I hope that this can be my breakthrough season and I can move on to bigger leagues outside Kenya,” he added.
