Football
Top goalkeeper Origi calls time on Stars career
MOHAMMED AMIN | NATION Harambee Stars’ shot stopper Arnorld Origi during a training session with the Kenyan national team at the Nyayo National Stadium on March 25 last year. Origi has said he will not be available for selection with the national team.
Posted Friday, January 27 2012 at 20:30
In Summary
- Huge blow for Kenya as leading custodian pulls the plug on national team’s preparations for Africa, World Cup games
Kenya number one goalkeeper Arnold Origi on Friday called time on his international career at just 28 years of age.
“After long consideration I have decided not to be available for the national team to give me more time to concentrate on my club career,” Origi said on phone from Norway where he is based.
Origi had earlier in the day posted a message on his Facebook wall saying it was with heavy heart that he was announcing his decision to quiet playing for the Harambee Stars.
The post attracted hundreds of responses within hours from admirers, many expressing shock while urging the talented goalkeeper to reconsider his decision.
“I have sat together with my people and thought through this decision.
“Since 2008 when I injured my knee playing for Kenya I the injury keeps recurring.
“I keep getting injured playing international football and need many months to recover. The travelling does not help either,” he told Saturday Nation.
Approaching 30
“I feel I should be at a higher level than playing in the Norwegian league. It is a hard decision but I have my career to think about. I am approaching 30 and feel I should be further than where I am right now. I have dreams I have not achieved,” he said.
Origi is looking to sign for a new team in Norway after his contract with his long-time club MOSS expired at the end of last year.
He was the stand-out player in Kenya’s last international, a 0-0 draw away to Uganda in their last 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier in October.
Origi was first called up to the national team in 2005 and has grown in stature to easily become Kenya’s best keeper of his generation.
“This is a big blow to Kenyan football. Getting another goalkeeper of his level will take time,” former Harambee Stars team manager Edward Oduor said.
Stars’ next assignment is a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo on February 29.
RSS