With a deft touch, Bryson Wangai delivered a pin-point left cross which Benson Omalla easily guided into the net with a piercing header as Gor Mahia bagged an early second minute lead against Posta Rangers in the FKF Premier League at Machakos Stadium last Saturday. K’Ogalo, as Gor Mahia is nicknamed, would run riot that fine afternoon to the delight of the adoring traveling fans – thumping the Mailmen 4-0 to mark the club’s biggest score-margin of this season’s campaign. Highlights : Gor Mahia FC 4 – 0 Posta Rangers FC#SportpesaNaGor #Kogalo #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/Gq1RNEHOkA— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) March 3, 2024 It was one of those moments that thrust a player into the limelight – lifting him from obscurity to stardom and at the same time inviting scrutiny his way.Signed exactly one year ago from ittle known Bongonaya FC, Bryson is slowly working his way into the core of the coach Johnathan McKinstry’s side and maybe soon into the hearts and minds of the adoring yet hard to please Green Army. “Gor Mahia has very talented and good players, and for you to get a chance to play, let alone to start a game, it’s an honor, but you must work very hard for it in training,” Bryon, a student at JKUAT University, tells Mozzart Sport in an exclusive interview. Yet, like most budding talents in developing countries, his journey has not been smooth sailing. Born and bred in Nairobi, Wangai’s love for the game was kept alive and his skills partly honed playing in the dusty estate fields of Pangani and Kasarani where his family lived. His major breakthrough, however, landed when he was spotted by the current Bandari FC coach John Baraza, who signed him at Sofapaka Youth Team. He would tag alongside Baraza when the former Kenya international moved to the then FKF Division One outfit Equity FC. New contract is incoming for Mainoo, along with the big decision: England or GhanaEquity’s exploits in the 2021 Mozzart Bet Cup where they reached the quarterfinals was a blessing for Bryson who had a good tournament as teams came knocking for his signature, but it was K’Ogalo, a team he says his further supports, that managed to get him.“When Gor Mahia comes calling, you can’t turn them down. This is the best team in the country and for me it was a dream come true.”The winger, who can also play in the left full back position, is full of praise for coach McKinstry whom he ranks as one of the best coaches he has worked with in his nascent career. “He believes in talent and has helped me to grow both technically and tactically. He is one coach who believes in winning and always works for the best interest of the team.”Playing alongside his local hero George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, he says was a humbling experience. “I admire Messi, Neymar and Di Maria, but locally it was Blackberry that I looked up to and I’m so grateful that I could play with him at Gor Mahia. He helped me a lot.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7929920##Playing for Gor Mahia, the country’s most storied club, comes with its pressures and fame that a young player must master to grow or else wither into oblivion like many have in the past. For Bryson, he’s been relying on the support and wise counsel of his seniors at the club to keep his focus.“At times when you don’t do well and results don’t go your way and fans are disappointed, the weight of the whole situation can wear you down mentally, but I’ve relied on senior players in times like this to keep going. There will always be low days, but how you handle them is what matters.”Through the Lens of Time: Anwar Sidi’s 42-Year journey in Motorsport PhotographyAt school, he tries to avoid distractions that may derail his ambitions. “There’s a lot of influence to maybe hang out and party, but I remain rooted and focus on what I want to achieve both at Gor Mahia and school. The advice I get from my parents and even fellow players have helped me grow.”Prior to joining K’Ogalo, Bryson landed an opportunity to try out with a club in the USA, however travel complications due to the COVID 19 pandemic scuttled those plans. “As of now I want to give my best where I am and trust in God for He knows what plans he has for me,” Bryson, who wishes to play for the Harambee Stars one day, said.He reveals that having dreadlocks is something that runs in their family and his mum and some cousins and aunts have or had them. “I don’t feel uncomfortable when playing because I’m now used to having them.”Bryson, who relates very well with his teammates despite being a quiet character, singles out Boniface “Bajaj” Omondi as the funniest player in the locker room.FKF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 23Saturday1300: Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United1500: Bandari vs Gor Mahia1600: Sofapaka vs Murang’a SealSunday1300: Posta Rangers vs Kariobangi Sharks1500: Kakamega Homeboyz vs Ulinzi Stars1500: Nzoia Sugar vs FC Talanta1500: Tusker vs AFC Leopards1600: Kenya Police vs Muhoroni Youth
