Talanta Hela boy Gitama in dreamland after Stars call up
When Kenya’s Emerging Stars march to the field today against Zambia in the COSAFA a boy from Kisauni, Mombasa will be hoping to be one of the players to make a mark.
The youngster is William Gitama, 17, who is one of the first fruits of the Talanta Hela tournament as he featured for Mombasa County in the national championships last December in Nairobi.
The Bandari FC prodigy was also part of the Kenya Talanta Hela U18 team that clinched the COSTA Daurada Cup in Spain in March and had a successful outing in the Iberian nation, netting three goals for the Stanley Okumbi led side that made him joint top scorer.
Gitama who was born and bred in Mombasa says he was in utter shock when he saw his name in the Harambee Stars’ provisional squad for the COSAFA tournament that kicked off yesterday in South Africa.
“For sure, this is God, it is His plan. I never expected to be named in the national team squad. Even my parents, relatives and friends were surprised by the inclusion. It is a great honor and I promise to work extra hard and smart to ensure I continue showing my capabilities to the coaches so that we can achieve our goals as a team,” said a delighted Gitama.
The former St Anthony High School and Kisauni Hope FC player has seen his football career grow tremendously this year. He was one of the Star players in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tourney in Coast region and was named in the final dream team. In addition, he impressed the scouts for the Talanta Hela team selectors for Barcelona where he played outstandingly to wow the scouts.Further, Gitama was promoted to the Bandari FC senior team from the youth team in January and went ahead to make six appearances for the Coast outfit in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League in the just concluded season.
The form-four student at Serani Secondary in Mombasa reveals that the Talanta Hela tournament in Kenya and in Spain introduced him to the world and everyone began to make inquiries about him.
“To tell the truth it is the Talanta Hela tournament that has really opened doors for me. It has paraded me to the world because when I went to Spain and came back: it is when many people started asking to know more about me. I will forever be grateful to the Kenya Academy of Sports and the Ministry of Sports for that platform that has played a huge role in scaling my career,” Gitama grinned.
Bandari FC coach John Baraza has heaped praise on the Bandari Youth graduate saying he has a bright future for both club and country.
“He is a talented boy with huge potential and very soon Gitama will be a very special player for the country.”
