Allan Wanga set to hang up his boots

The former Harambee Stars striker said that he will call it a day at the end of the season to focus on his job at the County government of Kakamega and other private work.

He noted that he has been having a challenge in managing his training programmes with the club and job at the county as a Sports Officer.

Wanga said that his focus now is life after football adding that securing his job was important for his future. He thanked Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya for his appointment in the Sports Ministry.

He has also ruled out joining the coaching career adding that it’s a profession he has never admired.

“I don’t have the power to contain the pressure coaches get during matches. I can’t lie that I admire to be on the touchline as a coach,” he added.

“I have done my best in the last 13 years or more in top flight football and I think it is time for me to vacate the scene for the young generation to take over,” said the Homeboyz captain.

He added: “I have achieved what any footballer would desire to achieve in his career. Apart from playing football oversees I have featured for the national team Harambee Stars for 12 years whichis a big achievement,” Wanga said.

He added that age was catching up with him adding that he could no longer battle with young and energetic footballers featuring in the top plight football.

Wanga noted that his decision to retire caught his colleagues and technical bench by surprise as they still wanted him to play for the Kakamega based club.

“Coach Muyoti and most of players were at pain to accept that I will no longer be with them at the end of the season. They still believe I was energetic enough to play for one season,” he added.

Speaking to the Press in Kakamega town yesterday, Wanga thanked Homeboyz family for the good time he has been with the club.

“Homeboyz is my second home…I have had a very nice time with the club since joining them. Everybody here from technical bench, players and fans are too good to deal with. I will miss them dearly,” he added.

Wanga recalled how it was difficult for him to join Homeboyz with his roots in AFC Leopards who are bitter rivals with the former.

“There is bad blood between Ingwe and Homeboys and when they (Homeboyz) sought my services It was hard to make a decision because I felt that my Ingwe fans would not be happy with my move but I had to make a decision,” he added.

He added that it pained him that one time he contributed to relegation of Homeboyz as he scored in a match Ingwe won against them when they needed the three points to survive.

“So my decision to join Homeboyz was to pay back and I think I have done so as they club has made a lot of improvement since I joined them…most of the players have learnt a lot from my experience.He added that he will miss the club and their fans.

Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula said Wanga is apillar to his club and he had added a lot of value to Homeboyz.

“Many of our fans did not believe when I told them that I was bringing Wanga to the club. He is a player that I had admired a lot and I thank him that he agreed to sign with us,” he added.

Coach Muyoti described Wanga as a brilliant, hardworking, talented and focused player who has shaped careers of his teammates.

“Wanga helped us a lot in building confidence in young players during crucial matches. He is a true leader,” said Muyoti.

He added that the club will always reach him for any assistance if need be.