NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – KCB FC goalkeeper Bryne Omondi hopes he can battle to be Kenya’s number one starter in the coming years, after earning only his second ever call up to the Harambee Stars.
Omondi’s previous call up was in 2019, where he was shaved off after the first round of squad trimming but after earning a new call, he hopes he can become a more permanent figure and eventually, follow in the footsteps of his local idol Duncan Ochieng and become Kenya’s number one keeper.
“I believe one day I will be there. It is just about working hard and keep believing. One day it will come to pass,” Omondi told Capital Sport.
The custodian was signed by KCB at the start of the season having been on a journey with several teams including Tusker FC, Talanta, Mathare United and Posta Rangers.
When he arrived at KCB, Gabriel Andika was the number one starter for the bankers but slowly he curved out his niche and has now been trusted to start by coach Zedekiah Otieno.
“It has been a really long journey and I have worked hard for it. I have tried to push everyday and getting a call up to the national team is a massive motivation because it shows the hard work is being appreciated,” he noted.
He adds; “It has honestly been a long journey of working hard and not giving up. Everyday I would tell myself that some day, my day will come and I am glad I am here now. It is not the end and I still need to continue working hard.”
Among the people he says have contributed to the rise of his career include ex Harambee Stars first choice Duncan Ochieng, who is now a goalkeeper trainer at Tusker FC. During his stint at Tusker, Ochieng was in the sunset days of his playing career.
“He (Ochieng) has been an inspiration for me since when I was in Tusker. He helped me a lot and he would push me to do better and be better. Even when I was almost giving up he would encourage me and tell me my day will come,” the 26-year old stated.
Omondi knows that he has his work cut out if he is to get a sniff into the team with experienced keepers line up in the squad as well.
Also called up into Engin Firat’s team is new Kenya Police recruit Patrick Matasi, AFC Leopards’ Levis Opiyo and Zesco United’s Ian Otieno.
“They are way more experienced keepers than me and have been in this game for long. That competition will be very good for me. I will also keep me grounded to know that it is not easy being up there and I have to work my way,” he added.
