Kenyan footballers are steadily making their mark in Europe, with young stars breaking into top leagues and drawing international attention.
From England’s Championship to Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1, these players are demonstrating that East African talent can compete on football’s biggest stages.
Leading the charge is Collins Sichenje, on the verge of a €1.9 million move to Charlton Athletic, set to become the first Kenyan to pull on the London club’s colours.
The 22-year-old centre-back arrives from Serbian side FK Vojvodina, with the deal including a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Standing at 1.89 meters, Sichenje brings significant physical presence and aerial prowess—qualities Charlton hope will help them survive in the demanding English Championship.
Sichenje has steadily progressed from local Kenyan football to European leagues, with previous stints in Sweden and Serbia preparing him for the challenge. Despite interest from MLS’s Colorado Rapids and League One’s Luton Town, he ultimately chose Charlton.
“I want to challenge myself in the Championship. It’s a demanding league, and I believe I can make an impact here,” Sichenje said.
If finalised, he could make his debut as early as February, helping Charlton distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars forward Job Ochieng is on the verge of making his La Liga debut after being named on the bench during Real Sociedad’s 3-1 win over Celta Vigo.
The 21-year-old forward is aiming to become the third Kenyan to feature in Spain’s top flight, following McDonald Mariga and Michael Olunga. Although he did not play in the match, his inclusion signals that he is being considered for upcoming games.
In France, Suleiman Mansur Okwaro has joined Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims on a six-month loan from Nairobi United, with a four-year permanent contract already agreed upon to take effect at the end of the season. This move underscores the growing recognition of Kenyan talent across European football.
Among the most promising young players is Amos Wanjala, the 19-year-old Kenya U20 captain, who has joined Valencia CF’s academy side, VCF Mestalla. Wanjala, a centre-back, previously played for Athletic Club Torrellano in Spain’s Tercera Federación and captained Kenya’s U-20 national team at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. He described his move to Valencia as a milestone in his career:
“I am very happy to be here at Valencia CF. It is a great club with a great history. The Valencia CF Academy is a great academy. It is a great opportunity for me, and I want to make the most of it and achieve more success with Valencia CF,” Wanjala said.
The Makande-born defender has already met his teammates and is settling into the club’s highly regarded academy system.
He defines himself as “calm and composed, solid and good on the ball,” adding, “I am very happy to be able to represent my country here in Valencia. It is an achievement for my country, for myself and for my family. I know my family are very happy. They have been with me throughout this journey.
“Now it is time to bear fruit, and I am also very happy to be here. I know many Kenyans are looking forward to seeing me at Valencia CF, and this is the moment. I am fully focused on the team.”
Wanjala’s rise is part of a larger wave of Kenyan talent breaking into European football. Peter Mayoyo, former coach at St Anthony’s Boys High School in Kitale, who nurtured both Wanjala and Harambee Stars midfielder Adrian Kibet, spoke about the significance of their success:
In an exclusive interview, Peter Mayoyo, the St Anthony’s Boys High School coach who nurtured both Amos Wanjala and Adrian Kibet and won the Kenya Secondary School Games title with them in 2023, reflected on the significance of Kenyan players making their mark in Europe.
He emphasised the challenges young players face and the importance of structured development. “I’m proud of the Kenyan players making it to the big stage. It’s never easy, especially to make a breakthrough in central Europe, and so it’s a huge success for them,” Mayoyo said.
He noted that these successes reflect progress in the way Kenya nurtures football talent. “It’s a clear indication the country is taking the necessary steps to nurture talent. We need to believe in our players and take adequate time to guide them.”
Mayoyo criticised the tendency of some coaches to take shortcuts. “Many coaches, especially in the school setup, prefer taking shortcuts to success, and this doesn’t serve our football well. They prefer recruiting 26-year-olds from the streets to compete for positions and play against 17-year-olds, and that’s unfair.”
Mayoyo recalls having taken chances with players others had overlooked. “I remember I recruited Kibet after he was rejected by coaches from other schools simply because he had a tiny body frame. At some point, even some members of my own coaching staff doubted their capacity to succeed as footballers. This was the same case with Wanjala. I believed in them, and the rest is history.”
Mayoyo, a member of the coaching team that led Kenya to silver at the 2024 CECAFA Under-18 tournament in Kisumu, attributes the rise of Kenyan players in Europe to the improved training of local coaches.
“These are exciting times for Kenyan football. The next generation is ready to take the stage,” he said.
Other Kenyans making an impact in Europe include Alvin Kasavuli at Nàstic Academy, and Luis Ingavi, a Montverde Academy graduate currently playing semi-professionally in Michigan while preparing for university football.
by TONY MBALLA
