Henry Motego takes over as Kisii County coach

Henry Motego in action during a past match.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Ex-Harambee Stars and Kenya Breweries striker will help nurture young talent at the grassroots.

Former Harambee Stars striker Henry Motego has been appointed coach of the Kisii County football team.

Motego, 48, made his name as a feared striker for Kenya Breweries (now Tusker FC). As an employee of Kisii County Government, the celebrated Motego will be in charge of football management and training under the Culture, Youth, Sports and Social Services ministry.

Motego played for Harambee Stars with celebrated footballers like J.J Masiga, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla, Ambrose Ayoyi and the late Sammy Onyango Jogoo.

He was employed by Kenya Breweries Limited as a clerk and played for the institution’s team. In 2005, Motego won the league title with Kenya Breweries as coach before leaving.

Until his appointment, Motego worked as a foreman in construction sites in Nairobi. Kisii Governor James Ongwae said Motego has been tasked with identifying and nurturing talent in the county as well as coordinating football activities at schools and club level.

“I’m grateful to the Governor (Ongwae) for giving me this chance to oversee the revival of football in Kisii. I will do my best to ensure we regain our lost glory as a county in football,” said Motego.

Kisii County Executive Committee member in charge of Sports, Culture and Social Services Moiro Omari said they would organise a football tournament in Kisii where teams from various sub-counties would face off to pick a team to represent the county in competitions.

Motego began his football career in 1983 at Boitangare Primary School before proceeding to Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho and Itierio High School between.

Motego was part of the Itierio High School team that beat Kakamega High to lift the National championship trophy in 1988.

The young Motego was spotted by Shabana FC coaches during the Kenya secondary schools national ball games and, as a student, went on to play for the Kisii-based team in the Kenyan Premier League.