Enock Agwanda the Beast!

Enock Agwanda the Beast!

Long before his signing at Gor Mahia, Enock Agwanda had sealed his place at the top of the list of players Gor Mahia fans liked the least. His crime? Well, it is quite not easy to prefer charges against the stout round bellied bullish striker without sounding petty. His main crime would probably be that he played for the wrong clubs.

Agwanda’s arrival at Gor Mahia was greeted with caution from the section of fans that I belong but soon won over the doubting Thomases. His debut was a rather quiet one in the 2-0 midweek win against Thika United in July 2015 at City Stadium as Walusimbi and Michael Olunga had done the job. Of course had Khalid Aucho not taken a throw-in too hastily, Agwanda The Beast would have tried his hand for the first time in Gor colors!

But three days later, against Mathare United, he produced his trademark performance. Exactly what he was signed for! For the first time in the season Gor Mahia had gone a goal down in a league match. And panic was written on everyone’s face. Nervy moments.

In the 60th minute, still trailing 1-0, there was a rapturous applause as The Beast came on for the limping Collins Okoth. Frank Nuttall’s boys pressed on and in the 74th minute they won a throw-in in the Mathare United half. Who to take it? There can only be one man. Enock Agwanda the Beast!

Enock Agwanda
The Beast in his bullish element appearing for Harambee Stars.

Enock Agwanda’s throw-ins, as they are already too well known, are more perilous than corner kicks. They sting like a bee and are feared worldwide. Defenders avoid them the same way they avoid speeding vehicles on Highways. Coaches, these crybabies in town – the Ken Kenyattas, the Mike Muiruris and Gilbert Selebwas of this world – who never run out of complaints whenever Gor Mahia wins a match, will brand it anti-football tactic; to throw the ball in Agwanda’s manner.

He has this trademark stepping back movement while holding the ball on his right hand, an orchestrated adjustment of his shoulders systematically with his neck, with his eyes riveted to his target he sprints with the ball up above his shoulders, pauses at the touchline and launches his missile of a throw-in with the acceleration of an intentionally thrown stone. Agwanda takes his throws with such an aplomb push one gets the feeble thought that Julius Yego may be overrated.

Enock Agwanda's throw-ins make Julius Yego look like a beginner.
Enock Agwanda’s throw-ins make javelin icon Julius Yego look like a beginner.

On this day, against Mathare United, his throw-in found the head of Ali Abondo who guided it to Meddie Kagere and the Rwandan leveled matters for k’Ogalo.

Enock Agwanda is not a ball player. He’s a thrower. He does not waste time in obscure verbose ball work. He makes his intent known with the first one, maximum two touches. His burly body mass bullies opponents out of possession as he roves through defenses. Some players have splendid footwork showboating skills, others merely have the capacity to position themselves but not Agwanda. His body does the work for him.

 

His are not ordinary goals. He rips the net with his raucous shots. He did it against Al Malakia in CECAFA then in August KCB goalkeeper Zachary Onyango almost died trying to stop a beastly shot taken by the Beast. Trying, or merely imagining, stopping Agwanda’s shots is typically suicide mission. When he strikes, a goalkeeper can’t do much!

Zack Onyango
KCB Goalkeeper Zachary Onyango almost died trying to stop Enock Agwanda’s goal-bound shot.

Interestingly, all his goals have been the last of the match in which case ordinarily elicit little or no celebration in a match, but the power with which they are drilled in sends everyone into a frenzy. Even opponents applaud in silence. The referee has to confirm status of the net after a well taken Agwanda shot.

He passes for a fat player potbellied by fermented village brews. But few recognize his painstakingly industrious self. His is a kitschy kind of player; the perfect embodiment of an acquired taste. When I think of the scriptural attack I launched against him on the news that he was on the brink of signing for k’Ogalo I coil my tail with tinges of discomfiture. Perhaps in retrospect, I shouldn’t have drawn my sword in such a ferocious intrusion.

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Sam Nyamweya has launched his bid for another term at the helm of FKF. That’s no news. In justifying his candidature, Uncle Sam said this would be his second term in office and that he needs the second, and the last, to ‘clean the mess in Kenyan football’. Ahahahahaaaa!

Wait, Uncle Sam says he is currently serving his first term? Constitutionally, yes. Grammatically, naaaah! Then he says he wants to clean the mess in our football. I’m not in the mood of asking who created the mess but I’m glad someone key is finally admitting there’s some mess around. Our football is growing!

@TomBwana

 

Tags:

Tanzania FKF GOR MAHIA Harambee Stars Mathare United Sam Nyamweya Tom Bwana Julius Yego Enock Agwanda Ken Kenyatta Gilbert Selebwa Mike Muiruri CECAFA 2015 Djibouti Telecom Zachary Onyango

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