Harambee Stars striking problems could be solved by Taiwo Atieno, a 23-year old Kenyan who plays in Puetorico Islanders.
He was born Taiwo Leo Awuonda Atieno in Brixton, South London in 1985 to a former Nation Newspapers correspondent Moussa Awuonda and English mother Brigit Mary Glaisher.
He came back to Kenya on Sunday to trace some his family in Alego. During his 12-day visit to Kenya, Atieno hopes to meet Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi to push his case.
“It has been my dream to play for Kenya since I was 13 and I know people may question my interest in the team,” Atieno admitted in an exclusive interview with Nation Sports Desk on Monday.
Lethal striker
What he wants is a chance to show his potential and is ready to be called for trials by the Harambee Stars technical bench.
Atieno is aware of Kenya’s lethal striker Dennis Oliech who plies his trade in France for Auxerre.
“I understand he is quick which is good because I am also fast and we could compliment each other,” he added.
There is no doubt in Atieno’s mind that Kenya could qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa in a tough Pool which also has Nigeria, Tunisia and Mozambique.
He observes that Kenyan players are athletically well built and Harambee Stars could do with a target player comparable to England’s Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch.
Atieno who is strong in the air with a good burst of speed believes these attributes would help Oliech or any other player get into space to bang in the goals.
He is sure his presence in the team could add more interest in Harambee Stars players in the UK, USA and other countries.
For a player who passed a chance to play for the Pueterico national team last year, Atieno would like to be a bridge between Kenya and other countries.
“My long term plan is to establish links between Kenyan teams and others from the UK or USA,” Atieno revealed.
The bottom line is that Atieno is ready to fight for a place in Harambee Stars and leave a mark.
He started playing soccer at eight at Charlton Athletic’s youth team before moving to Walswall Football Club in the Midlands at 14.
He turned professional at 16 with the championship side Walswall FC. In 2006, he moved to Tamworth FC and scored 13 goals in 28 matches.
It was in 2007 that Atieno joined Pueterico Islanders who compete in American League One. They won the league last year with Atieno scoring 13 goals.
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Way to go young man. President-elect Barack Obama paved the way and other “point-fives” are now following. Time to go and fetch their African roots that they had forgotten.
Other Kenya-Stockholmers with mixed-race children should use such an encouraging example to tell their kids that Kenya is not only full of mysery.
It is awesome that Moussa Awuonda’s son has offered to share his football talents with Harambee stars. Just imagine the professionalism he can pump into the team together with Oliech. This could give us an edge in future African championships. I hope they will accept him.
I agree with Maina that some of the mixed race kids who disregarded Kenya can now see the light because of Barack Obama. These people have so much talent to share for progress with those belonging to their African ancestry.
I bet because of Obama’s similar roots in Alego, the young man has seen the urgency of visiting his father’s home. Others need to emulate him and contribute to their African roots. Obama has begun a revolution for the mixed-race people to trace their ancestral homes in Africa.
Go Taiwo go!!! Harambee Stars should take him for his skills. This guy has a vision which I admire: “My long term plan is to establish links between Kenyan teams and others from the UK or USA,” Atieno revealed.
at least he is showing some character (which we so badly need in these times)and is contributing to society (Kenyan)I think thats commendable