Nairobi United custodian sets sights on Black Stars call-up as new year resolution
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Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 29.12.25. | 19:47
The 25 year old believes his steady rise in Kenyan football and his recent return to full fitness have placed him back on the path toward a coveted call up to the Black Stars
Nairobi United goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed Laryea has set his sights on a place in the Ghana national team as he heads into the new year with renewed confidence and ambition.
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The 25-year-old believes his steady rise in Kenyan football and his recent return to full fitness have placed him back on the path toward a coveted call-up to the Black Stars.
Laryea has quietly built a strong reputation in Kenya since moving to East Africa more than four years ago.
His journey has been defined by patience and persistence, starting far from the spotlight before gradually earning recognition through consistent performances.
He first featured in the fourth tier of the Kenyan league system, where his performances opened the door to an opportunity at FKF Premier League side Nairobi United.
In Nairobi, the Ghanaian quickly established himself as a modern goalkeeper comfortable playing out from the back and capable of breaking pressure with his feet.
Ernest Mohamed the hero saving two of Mara Sugars penalties.
— Tisini (@TisiniTech) June 1, 2025
Nairobi United set a date with Gor Mahia in the @FKFCup final. #FootballKe
His influence grew as the club embarked on a remarkable rise through the ranks, dominating Kenya’s third tier and laying the foundation for an extraordinary period of success.
Laryea was central to that ascent, producing crucial saves and a string of clean sheets that powered Nairobi United to promotion into the National Super League (NSL) and later into the FKF Premier League.
The club’s fairytale run was capped by victory in the Mozzart Bet Cup, a triumph that secured continental qualification and marked one of the most successful chapters in the club’s history.
During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Laryea finished with 14 clean sheets as United stunned established giants on their way to lifting the Mozzart Bet Cup and booking a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, just as his profile began to rise, an injury threatened to derail his momentum.
He was injured against Gor Mahia in the domestic cup final in July and subsequently underwent surgery, a setback that ruled him out for several months.
The layoff delayed his Premier League debut and saw him miss key CAF assignments, leaving him out of the spotlight during a crucial phase of the season.
That period is now behind him; fully recovered, Laryea made his long-awaited top-flight debut in December against Murang’a Seal and has since featured in matches against Murang’a Seal, Gor Mahia, and Tusker.
In those appearances, he has recorded one clean sheet while also contributing a pre-assist and an assist, which shows his value beyond shot-stopping.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the goalkeeper said he finally feels free to express himself again after a difficult recovery period and is now focused on pushing his career to the next level.
He said that while the surgery slowed his progress, it did not diminish his ambition, adding that his priority is to help his team succeed while positioning himself for international recognition in 2026.
“That’s the aim. I feel better after the surgery. Maybe my development stalled a bit, but I am on the right track again, and I just want to shine, help my team, and get that call-up in 2026,” said the 25-year-old.
Breaking into the Black Stars setup remains a demanding task, with strong competition from Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Joseph Anang of St. Patrick’s Athletic, and Crawley Town’s Jojo Wollacott.
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Despite this, Laryea remains confident that his development and resilience give him a realistic chance.
That confidence is reinforced by the competition he faces daily at the club level.
Naibois boasts goalkeepers Kevin Oduor and Bernard Jairo, both widely regarded among the best in the country.
Laryea believes competing against them sharpens his edge and prepares him for the demands of international football.
“Nothing comes easy in life, and that applies to football. I know they have players all over the world, and I am one of them. I will push to the limit and grab the opportunity when it presents itself,” he said.
Continental football now presents another major platform for the goalkeeper.
United’s historic debut in the 2025 and 2026 CAF Confederation Cup has ushered the club onto a wider stage, offering players a chance to test themselves against some of Africa’s strongest sides.
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The Kenyan outfit qualified for the group stage after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Tunisia’s Étoile du Sahel and was drawn alongside Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, AS Maniema Union of DR Congo, and Azam FC of Tanzania.
Their group stage campaign resumes in early 2026 following the Africa Cup of Nations break.
Nairobi will host Azam FC at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani, on 25 January before travelling to Tanzania for the return fixture on 1 February.
They will then welcome Wydad Casablanca to Kasarani on 8 February before concluding the group stage away to AS Maniema Union in Kinshasa on 15 February.
For Laryea, those fixtures represent more than just matches; they are an opportunity to measure himself on the continental stage and to make a compelling case for inclusion in the Ghana national team.
If given the chance, he knows CAF competition can be a powerful shop window, and he is determined to make every moment count.
