After three years of patience, Brian Bwire finally made his Harambee Stars debut during the 2022 World Cup qualifier 1-0 loss against Mali last Sunday at the Nyayo Stadium.Bwire earned his maiden call up to the team in 2018 when former coach Sébastien Migne plucked him from the Kariobangi Sharks bench where he was the third choice goalkeeper and began grooming him to jostle for the Kenya one.His call up was met with sharp criticism from fans who felt that his presence in the team was not justifiable considering that he was not a regular starter at club level.However, the fast-rising goalkeeper remained focused and worked through the national junior teams and club with his input procuring him a place in the senior team.🧤| Brian Bwire. Three penalties saved. One scored. Man of the match.#KenyaMilele #Brewers4Life pic.twitter.com/hg5IEhGxEq— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) September 22, 2021 Bwire looks back at the three years with the pleasure of achieving his long term dream of being in the Stars last line of defence although he had wished to keep a cleansheet on his debut.”It was satisfying to play my first Stars match after three years of wait. I had been wishing for it since I decided to become a goalkeeper and I am happy to have made it. I have been working hard throughout the years and never allowed myself to be downed by criticism, ” he said.The Stars technical bench quickly summoned Ulinzi Stars goalkeeper James Saruni who clinched last season’s ‘Golden Glove’ to replace the injured Ian Otieno who was withdrawn in the first half of the first leg played on Thursday last week.Saruni was highly anticipated to start the game but Bwire was picked ahead of him and the Tanzania based Farouk Shikalo who replaced Otieno in the first leg.Bwire revealed that the motivation he received from the two senior shot stoppers helped him erase the stage fright and have a composed game.Brian Bwire will always bring the ball to your limps. What you do with it ni juu yako.Superb distribution— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) October 10, 2021 “The rest of the other goalkeepers in the camp talked to be before kick off. It motivated me and helped me go into the game without much pressure,” he revealed.Having made his debut, the former Green Commandos player in the meanwhile believes that he has what it takes to keep the Kenya One that will propel him to European footb” There is a lot of competition in the National team but I believe in myself and I am sure i will maintain my place in the team. I want to keep pushing so as to achieve my dream of playing in Europe,”he added.
