Rodgers Oporia praises Nairobi United for professionalism and player development
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 10.10.24. | 08:40
The midfielder, who began his football journey with Compel Youth in Bungoma, emerged as one of the standout players for the Edwin Mwaura-led team
KCB attacking midfielder Rodgers Oporia has praised the professional organization of National Super League (NSL) side Nairobi United.
Oporia played for the second-tier team during the 2023-2024 season, having transferred from FKF Premier League club FC Talanta.
The midfielder, who began his football journey with Compel Youth in Bungoma, emerged as one of the standout players for the Edwin Mwaura-led team.
He finished the season with ten goals and twelve assists, ranking among the league’s best players and securing his move to KCB.
Although Nairobi United narrowly missed promotion, falling short of a spot in the FKF Promotion playoffs on the final day of the season, they have earned praise for providing players with valuable exposure.
The club has also established a clear development path for aspiring footballers across the country.
"I give them a thumbs up. Everything they did was professional, and they are committed to giving young players a chance. Nairobi United is a great team," Oporia said in an interview on the Tiki Taka Show.
"Even though they are a young team, they did things the right way. They recorded matches, which allowed players to showcase their talent. You don’t need to attend trials when you have your highlights with you, and Nairobi United was the only team in the Super League that offered such a platform," he added.
Oporia also expressed his gratitude to Nairobi United CEO Boniface Maina for his dedication to nurturing young players and helping them secure opportunities abroad.
"He goes above and beyond to push young talent to their limits and open doors internationally. He recognizes the potential in Kenya but sees that young players often lack support. Once he sees potential, the CEO is committed to backing you fully."
Reflecting on their missed promotion last season, Oporia acknowledged the competition but remained optimistic about the team’s progress.
"We did our best, but the teams ahead of us were better prepared and had set the bar high. However, we made a statement by performing as well as we did in our debut season."
Now backed by the Sakaja Foundation, Nairobi United is setting its sights on FKF Premier League promotion for next season. The team has collected four points from their opening three games and will face Dimba Patriots at Dandora Stadium on Saturday.
