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Arnold Origi: Training ground bust up was nothing

By DAVID KWALIMWA September 16th, 2016 2 min read

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi says he has already “moved on” from that well publicized altercation with a teammate at the training ground of his Norwegian club.

The Lillestrom keeper was handed a one match suspension by his club last week, following a fist-cuff with midfielder Bassel Jradi.

“No there is nothing to it really. Burst ups do happen on the training pitch. It just shows that you care and have passion in what you do. The club reacted the way they did (suspension) and I accept it even though I do not agree, but life has to move on. I am now looking forward to the next game,” the 32 year told Nairobi News exclusively from his Norway base.

According to reports from sections of the Norwegian media, Origi, who is first cousin to Liverpool striker Divock, had to be separated from Jradi after the two almost came to blows during a training session.

In its reports, nrk.no quoted “eyewitnesses” who described the scuffle between these two players as “ugly”, with further reports stating that the Kenyan raced “between 20-25 metres before unleashing a flying kick on his teammate.”

Following that incident, the two players were excluded from Lillestrom’s 18-man squad that faced Odd FC last weekend.

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi hanging out at an undisclosed location. PHOTO | COURTESY
Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi hanging out at an undisclosed location. PHOTO | COURTESY

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

The two have since been given an all clear by the technical bench to feature for the side in a forthcoming league match against Tromso.

Meanwhile, Origi who has earned 32 caps for Kenya, says he is not thinking of calling time on his international career yet.

Despite his international experience, that stretches back a decade, plus the bonus of consistently turning out for a first division club in Europe, Origi has been consistently been overlooked by Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi since appearing in that solitary goal loss to Guinea Bissau in March.

“That’s (leaving me out) is the coaches decision. I believe he picks the players who he feels are the best to do the job for the country. I haven’t been selected of late because maybe he feels I am not good enough. It’s his decision and honestly I respect it. So I just have to keep working hard because I am not thinking about retirement just yet,” Origi said.

In Origi’s absence, Okumbi has preferred Boniface Oluoch to man the goal mouth during Stars games and in all fairness, the Gor Mahia keeper has impressed, conceding twice in four games – without losing a match.