Somalia league proving new haven for Kenyan players

• Kenyan players are moving to the Somalia league on the lure of better pay
• The last two transfer windows have seen more than 10 players move
• Somalia is looking to improve the qulity of its league

 The Somalian Premier League is proving to be a new haven for Kenyan players, who are making the transfers up North in search for better pay and better life.

According to SportsBoom, In the last two transfer windows, records indicate that more than 10 players left Kenya attached to top and second tier clubs left for what is perceived to be greener pastures in Somalia.

Somalia, the easternmost country in Africa is not known for football or any other kind of sport but mostly procures itself negative focus thanks to the constant attacks by the outlawed terror group, Al Shabaab.

However, a good number of Kenyan players are starting to go beyond the myth, and seek greener pastures there.

Besides the club transfers, the Somali Football Federation has been keen on the naturalization of Kenyan born players who have gone to play for the junior and senior national teams.

Abdi-Muya Salim, a Kenyan born defender who plays in the United States of America, Handwalla Mohamed Bwana, Said Haji and Ibrahim Mao are some of those who have decided to represent Somalia.

Erick Odhiambo, a central defender whose career was on an upward trajectory is among those who bade Kenyan football farewell last year after landing what he termed a lucrative deal in Somalia.

Somalia league tough and competitive

Kenyan-born Abdul Muya Salim, based in the USA has decided to play for Somalia

Odhiambo who predominantly plays a central defender launched his football career at Gor Mahia Youth team which is owned by the most successful football club in Kenya and was primed to scale to the senior team. However, his career took a different direction after joining Division One side Ruiru Hotstars before moving to Somalia where he signed for Badbaado.

Odhiambo who also play as a defensive midfielder opened up on his move to Somalia insisting that the offer tabled by the club and the eye-catching infrastructure was too good to turn down.

“They gave me a good deal and their pay is always on time. Their league is competitive contrary to what many believe. What makes it competitive is the fact that each club has six slots filled by foreign players. You obviously can’t bring in a player from a foreign country and give him a bad deal,” said Odhiambo.

For the time Odhiambo has spent in Somalia, he says, he has been keen enough to spot the strides the country is making towards uplifting the standards of the game.

“You can’t travel for long distances without noticing construction of small pitches or spotting children playing on good surfaces. The clubs here take our welfare seriously and their federation is doing amazing things that will definitely take football to the next level,” added the former Fortune Sacco player.

Somalia hugely a safe place

Odhiambo is not the sole Kenyan player at Badbaado as he joined alongside Patrick Ochieng who played for second tier side Kisumu All Stars before making the move.

Another transfer that caught the attention of football enthusiasts is that of Omar Mwandaru who left four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars for Jeenyo.

Mwandaru made headlines when he joined Ulinzi in August last year from National Super League side SS Assad but didn’t last long with the soldiers as he crossed the border to Somalia. Just like Odhiambo, Mwandaru, a central defender said the package dangled by Jeenyo guided his steps all the way to Somalia.

“Somalia clubs have invested big in their playing units and pay well-on time,” said the defender.

Mwandaru was quick to rubbish a suggestion that indicated that his move was a massive downgrade career-wise and Somalia was hell on earth.

“I haven’t experienced terror-related or any sort of attack since I stepped feet here. People love football here and their league is competitive,” he added.

Other players who moved last year include: Charo Kaingu, Isaac Marisis, Osman Mohamed Ahmed, Abdulrahman Jama, Benar Safar among others.

Danson Kiprono, a former national U20 team player spent the better part of 2022 and last year in Somalia where he played for Gadiidka.

Somalia league clubs offer good packages

Kiprono who returned to his boyhood club Zoo FC which plays in the third tier said his move was influenced by the money the club offered and his desire to test his football skills in a new environment.

“They offered a good package to be honest unlike at Zoo where the club struggles with payments. I also wanted to explore and play in a new environment. During my time in Somalia, I noticed that their clubs take player welfare seriously and there are a lot of positives to be told in their league. It is safe to say that their football is on the rise, “said Kiprono.

Other players who have played there in recent times are: former U23 team defender Alex Onchwari, former U20 team striker Abraham Dawo,Bandari goalkeeper Sheikh Saeed Aleleey, former Kakamega Homeboyz midfielder Adnan Mohamed, Mathare United forward Donald Ange.