Africa-Press – Kenya. After a long spell away from active football, David Simiyu is plotting a grand comeback.
The midfielder’s last serious engagement in football was in a league match for Mathare against Kakamega Homeboyz at Moi Stadium, Kasarani in July.
He would soon disappear into the thin air citing a pressing need to address urgent family matters.
“I left Mathare United and traveled upcountry to sort out some family issues and never managed to return for the remainder of the season,” says Simiyu.
His contract with the Slum Boys has run out and he is now a free agent.
“I had signed a one and a half years contract and the time has elapsed, so I’m now free to move on. I hope to receive a number of offers when the transfer window opens in a month’s time,” said Simiyu.
But why would Simiyu choose to abandon football at a time his career appeared to be flourishing?
“My wife got very sick and I experienced difficulties paying house rent which made me unsettled. It was at that point I decided to look for a job in order to cater for the needs of my family,” he said.
Asked why he was now searching for a new team instead of simply extending his contract with Mathare, Simiyu was emphatic he was not willing to return to the side after they allegedly abandoned him in his hour of need.
“I chose to part ways with Mathare after they failed to come to my rescue when I approached them with my challenges,” said Simiyu.
At home, he went ahead and opened a hotel and also engaged in a host of other small scale enterprises that churned out the income he desperately needed to put his life together.
Born in 1994 in Lugari, Kakamega county, Simiyu enrolled in Sipande Primary School and proceeded to Mautuma High School upon sitting for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 2010.
“I began honing my skills in Class Five and even played for the school team. Our football teams both in primary and secondary schools were average and so we didn’t manage to go far”
That notwithstanding, he kept his eyes firmly trained on moulding his future as a big stage actor.
“I joined West Sugar in 2012 and featured for them in the National Super League,” said Simiyu.
“I left the side to join the academy outfit of Kenyan Premier League side Sony. We registered for the 2016 KPL U-20 championship where I emerged the top scorer.
Impressed with his exploits in the tournament, coach Salim Babu immediately promoted him to the senior side in the Kenyan Premier League. The decision proved prudent in the long run given Simiyu didn’t disappoint at all on the big stage.
“After a while, I decamped from Sony and linked up with Ushuru in the National Super League. I left Ushuru in the mid season to join Chemilil then left thereafter to sign up for Sofapaka,” said Simiyu.
Simiyu severed links with Sofapaka after a nasty injury kept him out of action for a lengthy period.
“After recovering fully from the injury I landed a role at Mathare United,” he added.
In the midst of the highs and lows that characterise his football career, Simiyu has had a share of fulfilment too.
“My best moment was when I won the golden boot award after topping the scorer’s chart at the 2016 KPL Under 20 championship,” he said.
“I’m also happy to have fulfilled my dream of plying trade in the country’s top tier,” he added.
His career hit rock bottom in January when he sustained a nasty injury while turning out for Sofapaka in a league match.
“It was such a huge setback given in the previous season I emerged behind Elly Asieche as Sofapaka’s second-best scorer with five goals. Asieche had netted two more.”
Simiyu says he draws a lot of inspiration from former Harambee Stars midfielder Jamal Mohammed who shot into the limelight with his exceptional technical ability on the pitch. “My overseas role model is Andrea Pirlo,” he adds.
He spends his free time nurturing talent by coaching a youth team he formed in Lugari.
Simiyu concludes with an important message to budding footballers who are thirsty for a share of top-flight stage.
“Just work hard. Hardwork sometimes yield better fruits than talent. They must also remain focused on their objectives,” he says.
BIO
Name: DAVID SIMIYU
Date of birth: August 10, 1994
Position: MIDFIELDER
Current Team: UNATTACHED
EDUCATION
Sipande Primary School, Lugari (Kakamega)
Mautuma High School
CLUBS: Western SugarSony SugarChemililSofapakaMathare United
