Adios Barry! Veteran striker John Baraza calls time on career

Veteran striker John “Barry” Baraza on Wednesday called time on his glittering career that has spanned two decades.

The evergreen Baraza, who until the time of his retirement was the captain of the SportPesa Premier League giants Sofapaka, broke the news of his retirement in a lengthy but moving Facebook post.

His exit from the playing scene brings the curtain down on a marvellous career that has seen him ply his trade locally and abroad while winning several individual and team accolades.

“Yes time has come...to say bye bye to the game we all love, the beautiful game (football).

“As I walk away from playing the game, I would like to say a big thank you to the people, who, throughout in my long playing career propelled me into a mentionable figure in the football industry; they helped me scoop lots of awards and championship medals.

“Coach Twahir Muhiddin stands out because he never gave up on showing me how to score goals even when I kept on missing lots of goals.

“In international circles, I would like to thank, “Ghost” (Jacob) Mulee. He gave me the chance to get on the national platform and I think I did not disappoint because we won Cecafa Senior Challenge. Kudos to him…”

STELLAR CAREER

Barry, as he is fondly known by his peers, exits the stage after capping his stellar career with another individual award when he won the 2015 SJAK/KPL Fair Play award.

Throughout his glittering career, the striker, who turns 41 in June, has been an embodiment of discipline, humility, resilience and hardwork.

By playing at 38 he has showcased that with discipline, longevity is achievable in the beautiful game more so for Kenyan players.

He however said he will remain active in the game as he takes up coaching duties at Sofapaka where he will deputise coach David Ouma.

Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who handled Baraza during his formative years at the national team, paid glowing tribute to him: “I was honoured to work with Baraza. He’s one of the most disciplined footballers I have ever handled and a gem in goal-getting. He’s a predator in front of goal. He’s a poacher. I just don’t know what to call him exactly, because he has an eye for goal and composure. He’s very calm; not aggressive and I would like to see his transition to coaching. I think he should have given it another one year before retiring.”

His former team mate at club and national level, James Situma, with whom he forged a strong bond, also talked glowingly of him: “He is a good guy and player. We will really miss him on the pitch. He still has an opportunity to serve and I hope to see him on the touchline.

“His discipline has been outstanding and I’ve benefited a lot from him and there are virtues that he has rubbed on to me.”

Baraza scored many goals in his career but the most memorable ones are an  86th minute header against Cape Verde in Praia in 2002 in an African Cup of Nations qualifier and the one against Burkina Faso in a group stage match of the 2004 Afcon finals in Tunis.

His other important goal was against Tanzania during the final of the 2002 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam, when he came off the bench to level the scores when Kenya were trailing 2-1. Dennis Oliech, then a teenage prodigy, scored the winner in a 3-2 result to hand Kenya their first Challenge Cup title in 20 years. Baraza is a four-time winner of the KPL Golden Boot. He achieved the feat in 2002, 2009, 2010, and 2012.