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Despair nearly drove Wanga to barracks


Allan Wanga  could have been a soldier had things in football not worked out. He would be shooting bullets and not kicking footballs.

Wanga’s entry into the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) almost hit a snag.

Agro Chemical FC had secured his services as they sought to boost their fire power upfront but a hostile reception from his teammates saw him leave the side.

With his football career seemingly on the rocks, his mother suggested the military as a possible avenue for gainful employment.

“I considered joining the military but my love for football was too much,” Wanga told Nairobi News.

Budding career

December 2006 would be the pivot of Wanga’s budding career.

 

He gave a virtuoso performance while playing for Lolwe FC, banging in four superb goals against Wazee wa Kazi, a side consisting of retired internationals and other football legends.

Former AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia and Harambee stars defender George Sunguti was impressed by his game.

He introduced Wanga to Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, the then Tusker FC head coach who signed him after only two training sessions.

He repaid the faith by scoring 21 goals that helped Tusker win the 2007 KPL title, their first crown in seven years.

At the time, Angola’s Petro Atletico was monitoring his progress and soon he was on his way to Luanda.

Wanga would again replicate his league –winning feat during his first season with the Angolan Club.

Returned home

By sheer coincidence Petro hadn’t won the Girabola League title for seven years until they bagged it in 2008 with Wanga on board.

He then moved to Vietnam where he played for two seasons before returning home, a decision that surprised many.

“I missed home and I felt unhappy in Vietnam. That is the reason I decided to return,” said the AFC Leopards striker.

He signed for Ingwe upon his return Vietnam and has been at the forefront in the push for a second place finish in the 2013 league.

Leopards are also scheming to win the GOtv Shield title during the final against arch-rivals Gor Mahia on November 16.