OPINION: Bandari FC striker Beja Nyamawi dreams of playing beyond KPL and Harambee Stars

There are too many young footballers who bare dreams to go all over the world and dominate European and world  football.

Such is the story of Bandari FC football forward Beja Nyamawi who has impacable dreams to play for one of the leading European leagues.

The towering young star has already made an impact at Bandari FC.

The 24 year old is currently Bandari’s number 9 playing the main forward role for the dockers who sit 8th on the KPL table with 16 points ahead of their clash against Kariobangi Sharks.

A knee injury put him out of the game but he returned to score the winner for his side against Kenya Kenya Police.

The knee injury put him out for a month without any games but the young star remains optimistic that he can be Kenya's top striker.

He is buoyed by his family's love for sports and believes he can use football to rescue his parents from the bondage of poverty.

Beja says that he loves everyone at Bandari and he is always willing to learn from experienced players.

The young sensation hit headlines when he conquered the National Super League (NSL) to emerge the top scorer with 20 goals in last season’s campaign.

“The dream is on but first I have to work hard and help my team. It's every footballer’ dream to play at the highest level and most importantly for the national team,”  said Nyamawi 

His handlers admit that he has demonstrated that hard work and determination to quickly rise to Kenya’s top tier league.

Beja grew up in Menzamwenye village in Lungalunga, where Mabubunda (banana baked food) was a meal of the day.

He braved the challenges of humble family beginnings before discovering his footballing skills while at MenzaMwenywa Primary School.

He is the fifth born in a family of seven that is now celebrated in Diani town because of his achievements in football.

His footballing talent started when he was in class seven and would later blossom into a reality when he joined Mivumoni Secondary School. The School gave him full sponsorship to study for four years owing to his football prowess.

After shattering records in school ballgames,he attracted the attention of FC Bombani who play in the county league. He would play for them while still schooling.

His star kept rising because it was only a matter of time before he joined SS Assad who played in the NSL. 

He attributed his 20-goal return to an injury-free season and support from teammates. 

"God guided me with a free- injury season but my team, fans and even my mother have been the main contributors to my scoring streak at Assad despite being my second season." 

The striker was also on AFC Leopards radar but found it easy joining Bandari.

In Kenya, he looks upto Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga who has plied in trade in Spain's La Liga. He admires both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and supports Chelsea in the English Premier League

Back in his village MenzaMwenye in Lunga-Lunga, he has become a symbol of unity to the locals.

Beja is a Duruma by birth and Muslim by religion, the Duruma are part of the Mijikenda community. They mostly settled in Kwale County. They occupied semi-arid plains marked roughly by the triangle of Taru, Mazeras and Lunga Lunga on the Kenya-Tanzania border. 

He is the fifth born in a family of five that is now celebrated in Diani town because of his achievements in football.

His footballing talent started when he was in class seven and would later blossom into a reality when he joined Mivumoni Secondary School. The School gave him full sponsorship to study for four years owing to his football prowess.

The striker was also on AFC Leopards radar but found it easy joining Bandari. 

In Kenya, he looks upto Harambee Stars captain no Michael Olunga who has plied in trade in the Spain’s La Liga. He admires both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and supports Chelsea in the English Premier League.

To keep fit and healthy,he loves eating ‘Mabubunda’ a banana cooked delicacy that is loved by the Duruma Community.

His team Bandari FC currently seats fifth on the table having gannered 19 points in eleven games.They next face Talanta FC after the international break and could go second if they win and team above it drop points.

Elkana Jacob is a communication consultant with 12 years of experience in media and public communication. He is also a security expert and a criminologist