He’s heavily laden. Over his head is a villainous biblical name that evokes curious recollection of the story of Joseph in the good book. While the pockets are stuffed with Sh1.5 million, his winnings from NSL gala. His name is Portipher Odhiambo.Out of the blue, he emerged from the shadows, past skillful midfield creators and instinctive goal poachers of the National Super League (NSL) to grab the prized gong of last week’s gala, the Most Valuable Player.Aged just 19 and madly in love with Gor Mahia, Odhiambo has been with Bullets since its inception, watched it rise from Division One League to the top tier of Kenyan football. He has been there, seen it all, and achieved promotion to the FKF Premier League with the team.The Nakuru-born and bred tough-tackling defender is in contrast very soft off the pitch. Mozzart Sport caught up with him for an exclusive interview. Have a read.Who is Portipher?, tell us more about yourself I am 19-years of age, the seventh born in a family of eight. I play for Vihiga Bullets as a central defender. I was born and bred in Nakuru County.Tell us more about your football journey so far, where and when did you start playing football?My journey started at my home town of Nakuru, I used to play with my friends in the estates from a very young age. I then joined the Nakuru All-Stars youth team in 2015. I played for the youth team for three years before making my senior team debut in 2018 while still in school, I was a form four student. I played for the senior team that was in the National Super League then for three months. After sitting for my KCSE exams I moved to Vihiga Bullets when the team was acquired by a new owner.Vihiga Bullets defender Portipher Odhiambo is the National Super League MVP. Walks home with 1 million Bob#NSLAWARDS— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) September 15, 2021 Take us through your journey at Vihiga Bullets, you have been with the team since its inception. How has it been and how did you manage to earn promotion to the top league so seamlessly? When we started things were good but with time things became harder because we were struggling financially and it was really hard because we have families to fend for and when you are not getting much from your job which for us is football, it becomes a big challenge. Even our promotion was just a miraculous one because things were not rosy at all, God really helped us get this promotion and of course the expertise and experience of coach Manoah came in handy, he has traveled this journey several times and he was key to our fast rise to the top.What has been your proudest moment as a Vihiga Bullets player? My proudest moment is when we earned promotion to the FKF Premier League. I have been with this team all through and seeing it reach the top level of Kenyan football was a big moment for me, it really made me happy. Despite the challenges we achieved our objectives and I think this is a moment that I will relish for a long time.What has it been like working with coach Edward Manoah for the last three years? Manoah is the best coach I have ever worked with, there is no doubt about that. He is like a parent, guides you and issues outside football and on the pitch he also pushes you to perform better and be a better player and person.Who are the coaches that you’ve worked with that have impacted your career? Peter Wekesa, he was my high school coach, coach Ezekiel Akwana I learned a lot from him for the short period that we worked together at Nakuru All-Stars. There is coach Manoah who I can say taught me football. Yes, I had the talent but it needed a coach to mold and improve me as a player and I think that he did that so well.Portipher Odhiambo of Vihiga FC is not only the Defender of the Year but also The MVP courtesy of #BetikaNaCommunity!#LetOurStarsShine pic.twitter.com/DU5fnHFNPR— Stout Stan (@Stan_Subru) September 15, 2021 You were named in the preliminary Kenya U23 squad for Cecafa u23 Championship. What did that mean to you?It was a big motivation for me because when I reported to camp I met some good players there and even though I did not make the final squad I learned a lot and I l also came back to the team more confident and determined to succeed. At first I felt inferior in the team because I was playing in the Super League while most of the players from the FKF PL but slowly I got the confidence and I am now more determined. I want to be A regular and maybe play for the senior team the future.Was your more supportive when you chose to play football at an early age? “My mum was supportive, she advised me to balance sports and academics well and I can say she was encouraging. I can tell parents to be supportive of other talents that their children have apart from academics because you never know where a child’s breakthrough will come from. Many have succeeded in life through sports and in terms of support from parents there has to be a balance.Which player or defender do you look up to locally and abroad? “Locally I think I like Eugene Asike of Tusker, I have watched him around 2-3 times and I liked his style of play and I believe that he is a player than I can learn a thing or two from. Outside the borders Virgil Van Djik, he has the calmness and composure that I like.Is there a local side that you support and dream of playing for?“I grew up as a Gor Mahia fan and it’s definitely a team I would love to play for at some stage in my career. I was a big fan of the team and let’s see what the future had in store for me. If I get an opportunity to play for them in future, well and good, if I land elsewhere it will be fine as well.You were named Defender of the year and MVP at the National Super League Gala, did you expect to win both awards? I had a good season with Bullets and I cannot say that I really did not expect it. It is a good feeling when other people notice the good work that you have been doing on the pitch and you get rewarded. I want to thank my team for making this possible.Your parting shot? I want to thank those who have supported me throughout my career, there are people who have impacted my career in one way or another and I am grateful to them. For me my career is just taking off and with hard work and God’s blessings, I believe that I will have a big successful career ahead.Update:NSL MVP Portipher Odhiambo is now a Kakamega Homeboyz player. He joins alongside Enock Masinza who comes in from Green Commandos.#AbanaBeingo pic.twitter.com/YMyFMhjrKn— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) September 18, 2021 (By the time of filing this story, Odhiambo was still in the books of Vihiga Bullets, he has since moved to Kakamega Homeboyz)Odhiambo’s profileName: Portipher OdhiamboAge: 19Position: Central DefenderHome town; NakuruSecondary School: Menengai High SchoolPrevious Club: Nakuru All-StarsRole Model: Eugene Asike and Vigil Van Djik
