Maruti lands coaching gig in Europe

Former Kenyan international striker Bonaventure Maruti has transitioned into coaching after years of playing in various Scandinavian clubs.

The 44-year-old burly former forward who signed for Gor Mahia in 1996 before moving to Michigan Bucks a year later has been appointed as coach of Norwegian outfit Valerenga 2 which features in the country’s 3rd tier league.

The appointment which came three days to Maruti’s birthday elated the celebrated striker and he rushed to social media to confirm the move.

“Allow me to celebrate my birthday early this year so I can get back to work. I am so proud and humbled to have joined this great club with a rich culture and tradition. Looking forward to working with a great team of coaches and some of the best talents not only in Norway but Europe,” Maruti wrote

Maruti moved to the Swedish top tier league and featured for three clubs; Orebro, Bryne and Follo between 2001 and 2010 making a combined 157 appearances and scoring 65 goals. He is Follo’s all-time top scorer with 36 goals in five seasons.

He’s also credited with helping Christian Bwamy and Joanes Maingi join Follo from Mathare United

The move is a rarity in Kenyan football sphere where very few players transition from playing into coaching and even fewer taking coaching roles outside the Kenyan borders.

A number of ex Kenyan internationals have carved out coaching careers in the USA where football is just rising up to compete with Europe and Maruti’s step will no doubt throw challenges for other retired professionals to take up.

Closer home, Francis Baraza’s impressive spell in charge of Tanzanian outfit Biashara Mara seems to have opened an avenue for Kenyans to coach in the Ligi Kuu after ex-Bandari tactician Bernard Mwalala was contacted to replacing Baraza who has since decamped to Kagera Sugar.

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