John Baraza had tenacity, aptitude and was controversy free
Veteran Sofapaka striker John Baraza poses with the 2015 Kenyan Premier League Fair Play Player of the Year award on December 9, 2015 during Footballer of the Year Awards at Safari Park Hotel. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Scoring goals was his main business on the pitch.
- Barry was consistent in outscoring fellow players.
John Baraza’s decision to hang his boots isn’t quite a surprise.
He is, after all 38, an age considered beyond the normal retirement bracket for a professional footballer.
Following his announcement via his official Facebook page at 6am on Wednesday, there have been glowing tributes streaming in from his teammates, colleagues, coaches, supporters and journalists — befittingly so.
Here is mine.
“JB”, “Capi” or “Barry” as he is variously referred to by close friends and colleagues was a player of rare kind.
Longevity isn’t the only unique aspect of his career.
He managed to escape injuries and stayed away from controversy. Even notorious football hooligans known for spewing all forms of insults on players who they felt were a let down during local league matches never mentioned his name. Such was the respect he was accorded.
Barry was consistent in outscoring fellow players. Despite all the challenges in Kenyan football, he wasn’t the type to complain about delayed salaries/allowances or take part in protests.
Scoring goals was his main business on the pitch. He was voted the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) player of the year in 2009 and clinched the Golden Boot award in the same year.
He won other accolades including the KPL title, domestic cup, Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup and was among the last crop of Kenyan footballers who featured in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004.
Barry retired from international football in 2009 but returned briefly in 2010, before calling it a day in the same year.
Born in western Kenya — the bedrock of Kenya’s football talent — JB’s first professional club was Nzoia Sugar followed by Oserian Fastac.
He later played in Europe at IF Sylvia in Sweden as well as Asian club PDRM Polis in Malaysia.
His talent was recognised in East Africa as his stints at Yanga SC (Tanzania) and Rwandan club Rayon Sport were a success. Baraza, thereafter, returned home and briefly represented Chemelil Sugar before settling at Sofapaka.
For those of you who may wish to know, Barry is also a particularly good dancer.
Once during a mutual friend’s wedding, he was overcome by emotion and excitement. He danced to the delight of a majority of those in attendance, including departed comedian Mzee Ojwang.
Simply put, this man was born to entertain.
