Kayci Odhiambo nearly quit football altogether while playing for Mount Kenya United before he joined AFC Leopards in 2021.
AFC Leopards defender Kayci Odhiambo has shed light on the harsh realities of playing in the National Super League (NSL), revealing how the dire conditions nearly pushed him into quitting football altogether.
Odhiambo, a product of Olympic High School, began his professional career at Dandora Love—formerly Mt. Kenya United—after finishing high school in 2019, during which he used to play for Akati Sportif at youth level.
His natural talent quickly made him a standout, seamlessly switching between cenral defence and central midfield roles.
The metrics showing why Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion tabled a Ksh1.8 billion bid for Clement Mutahi Bischoff, a Denmark youth international eligible to play for Harambee Stars.
Spectators at Camp Toyoyo could easily recognize his exceptional ability, leading to his nomination for the Young Player of the Season award, though the accolade ultimately went to Kisumu All-Stars’ Alfred Emoni Tanui, now with Bandari.
However, his time in the NSL was anything but smooth. Speaking on the Tiki Taka show, Odhiambo detailed the brutal conditions he and his teammates endured, particularly during away matches.
“NSL is difficult, but that is where I learned how to play as a midfielder. Any time we played away games, I opted to sit out,” Odhiambo shared.
“Away games were tortuous. I only played two. There was a time we had back-to-back games within two days, and only eight players were available because most couldn’t afford the fare to attend training or even buy meals.”
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Recalling a specific trip to Mombasa to face Modern Coast, Odhiambo described a nightmarish experience. The team traveled overnight, arriving in the morning to extreme heat.
“The driver left us in town to run errands, so we found a place to eat around 10 AM. We later had to walk to the pitch in our warm-up kits with our bags. Locals hurled insults at us before we even got to the field.”
During the game, conditions worsened. “We were given a jerrican of water, but it was salty. Our bench had no shade. By the 20th minute, I was finished. Still, we won 2-1.” Yet, the victory was short-lived as the team was immediately forced to endure another overnight journey back to Nairobi in an uncomfortable bus. “I was so relieved when I woke up and realized I was back in Nairobi,” he admitted.
Despite such hardships, players received no travel allowance. “We were not given any fare, so I had to walk from City Stadium to Jericho. Others had to trek to Kayole, Kangemi, and further. A stakeholder at Dandora Love however was kind enough to offer us with basic needs.”
Due to these experiences, Odhiambo deliberately avoided away matches, playing only seven times for Mt. Kenya United—five of them home games. Remarkably, he still managed to score five goals.
“If I had stayed in NSL for longer, I would have given up hope quickly. Any time I saw we had an away fixture, I skipped training. At that time, I was still young and hadn’t learned resilience.”
The physicality of NSL was also an eye-opener. “I started seeing the game differently because it was adult football. If you spoke badly, a player could beat you up, and there was nothing you could do about it.”
The path to AFC Leopards
Odhiambo’s journey to AFC Leopards ahead of the 2021/2022 season was equally eventful. KCB, under coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, had shown keen interest in signing him, even inviting him for trials after a match against Coast Stima.
“Coach Zico asked me to come for training the next day. That evening, Tom Juma from AFC Leopards also called me with the same request.” The following morning, his grandmother woke him up to inform him that a representative from AFC Leopards had come to see him, leading him to choose Ingwe.
However, his initial training period at AFC Leopards was uncertain. “For three weeks, I trained, but head coach Patrick Aussems never turned up. Frustrated, I left and trained with KCB for a day. Zico told me he’d recommend me to the club, but that was the day Aussems returned.”
Just as he was about to sign for KCB the very next day after training with them for the first time,, AFC Leopards stakeholders bombarded him with calls, compelling him to return. “The coach was angry with me, so I had to train for another three weeks, being subjected to punishing runs for going AWOL.
“But I finally signed in September.”
Now a crucial part of AFC Leopards, Odhiambo’s story is a testament to perseverance, proving that even the toughest circumstances can forge a path to success.
