Roy Mutimba, who is based in the USA, was drafted into the Kenya U-17 squad last December, a reward for years of hard work trying to make it as a professional footballer.
When Roy Mutimba received a provisional call up to Salim Babu’s U-17 Kenya Squad for the AFCON U-17 CECAFA qualifiers last December, he was beyond ecstatic.
Years of hard work first in Kenya and then the United States had borne fruit, and this was a chance for him to show he had the capability to set his international foundations and perhaps, end up becoming a key player for the senior side Harambee Stars.
However, illness meant he could not make the final cut for the squad as they travelled to Kampala, Uganda for the tournament, where they were unfortunately knocked out of the group stage following a 1-0 loss to Tanzania, before an absolute 5-0 thumping to the hosts Uganda a couple of days later.
As much as it was painful both on a personal and team level, it is still a learning process for the promising youngster, who caught up with Pulse Sports Kenya and was able to speak about a couple of things about his budding career so far.
As the draw was conducted at KICC’s Tsavo Ballroom on Wednesday night, attending Kenyan football stakeholders were understandably disgruntled any time Kenya were pitted against another opponent in group A of CHAN 2024. However, there are five reasons why the ‘group of death’ is a blessing in disguise for Harambee Stars.
In this article, Mutimba discusses:
-How he started playing football
-The people who have influenced his career so far
-How he joined Aspire Academy in Ohio, USA
-The players he models his game around
-His career ambitions
-What earning a call up to the Kenya U-17 squad for the first time meant for him
A dream halted but not diminished
“When I got drafted, I was excited—not just to play but also to return to Kenya, as it had been a while since I was last home,” Mutimba said. “When I met my teammates, it really hit me. I felt like I was finally making steps in my career.”
Despite the disappointment, Mutimba is keeping his sights set on the future.
“I was disappointed, but I still have my head up with the under-18s, under-20s, and even with the senior national team. I still have my head up.”
Falling in love with football
Mutimba credits his parents, Steve Mutimba and Rose Maghas, for encouraging him to pursue sports.
“When I was young, I played multiple different sports, but football was the one I enjoyed the most. I loved playing it and watching it on TV,” he recalled. “My parents always encouraged me to engage in sports, and when the time came to pick one, I chose football because I loved it.
“My parents have been my number one supporters. They ensure I’m enjoying what I do, help with stress, and make this journey fun instead of stressful.”
Beyond his family, the impact his brother and cousin had on shaping him into becoming the player he now is cannot be underestimated.
His older brother Anton Mutimba and cousin also played a key role in his development.
“Anton pushed me on the football field. He was an attacker, and since I was more defensive, we always went up against each other. My cousin Kipyego did the same. I enjoyed playing with both of them.”
At just 16, Mutimba already stands at an imposing 6’1 and possesses the physical attributes suited for a centre-back or defensive midfield role. However, his football journey began in a different position.
As a youngster, watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar left a huge impression on him, and he would imitate them on the training ground hoping to become the next big thing on the flanks.
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“When I was younger, I played as a winger—mainly on the right because I was right-footed. But as I grew older, I started moving further back, first to full-back and then to centre-back.”
The shift in position was not solely due to his physique but also his impressive reading of the game.
“The positions I really enjoy playing are centre-back and full-back because I can have a full view of the field. I also enjoy one-on-one defending against strikers. I like challenging myself, and that’s really fun for me.”
Admiration for Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk
As a devoted Liverpool fan, one might expect Mutimba to idolise Virgil van Dijk, but it is his defensive partner Ibrahima Konaté who has left a lasting impression.
“The defender I’ve modelled my playing style around is Ibrahima Konaté. I love how dominant and aggressive he is with his tackles. Watching him play makes me want to emulate him.”
That being said, he still greatly admires Van Dijk.
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Ibrahima Konate
Mutimba wishes to become the next Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk. Image || Imago
“If I were to step into the shoes of an established football player, I’d probably pick Virgil van Dijk. He’s an accomplished centre-back and still one of the best, if not the best, in the world. Experiencing that level would be an incredible inspiration for me.”
Mutimba also draws motivation from Kenyan football legend Victor Wanyama.
“I admire Victor Wanyama because I watched him play for Tottenham. He was a defensive midfielder, not a centre-back, but he was someone who made me believe it was possible for a Kenyan player to reach that level.”
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Mutimba’s development journey
Mutimba’s development has been shaped by several academies. He first honed his skills at Elite Soccer Academy before moving to Rover Sports Academy, a boarding institution that played a crucial role in his growth both on and off the pitch.
“At Elite, I learned the basics and fundamentals of football. Rover Sports Academy helped me improve as a person, teaching me discipline and how to interact with people. It’s where I made the most improvements, especially in football.”
His most recent move to SPIRE Academy in Ohio, USA, has provided him with the structure to balance academics and football, a critical aspect of his long-term plans.
“Settling into a position and learning how to play it under my coach, Sean Lane, has been a huge help.”
Balancing academics and football
Post-SPIRE, Mutimba plans to attend university, where he hopes to further his academic and athletic pursuits. He is scheduled to visit several institutions next year as he plots the next chapter of his career.
Mutimba understands the importance of education and is already considering his academic path should football take a different turn.
“Academics have helped me learn how to balance football and other things. You can’t just focus on one thing. In college, I’d like to study something in sports science, business, or finance—something to support me through my football career.”
Mutimba dreams of playing at the highest level, winning trophies, and featuring for top clubs.
“I’d love to play for Liverpool because I support them. Another dream club would be Barcelona, as they’ve been dominant in La Liga and have done well recently.
“In MLS, I really want to play for Columbus Crew. They’ve been one of the best teams in their conference, and playing for them has always been a goal of mine.”
Mutimba also expressed gratitude to those who have guided him along the way, including current Mara Sugar coach George Midenyo, who shaped his career while at Elite Soccer Academy.
“I just want to say thank you to the people who’ve helped me get here—my coach Sean Lane, coach George Midenyo, and my teammates at SPIRE Academy.”
Words of Wisdom
As he continues his journey, Mutimba has a simple but powerful message for aspiring footballers.
“Keep working hard, find someone to help you, and never give up.”
Roy Mutimba’s story is only the beginning, and if his determination is anything to go by, Kenya could soon have another football star making waves on the global stage.
