Paul Okatwa Odhiambo is a former Kenyan striker who until recently was the head coach at Kenyan National Super League side Nairobi United.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Okatwa Odhiambo | ||
| Date of birth | 24 January 1992 | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010-2011 | A.F.C. Leopards | 18 | (0) |
| 2012 | Oserian F.C. | 11 | (2) |
| 2012 | Posta Rangers | 8 | (0) |
| 2013 | Kakamega Homeboyz | 12 | (3) |
| 2013-2014 | Gor Mahia F.C. | 7 | (0) |
| 2014 | → Western Stima (loan) | 26 | (3) |
| 2015 | Ushuru F.C. | 1 | (0) |
| 2015-2016 | Muhoroni Youth F.C. | 14 | (0) |
| 2016-2017 | Sofapaka | 27 | (4) |
| 2017-18 | Tusker F.C. | 17 | (0) |
| 2018 | Posta Rangers | 7 | (0) |
| 2018-19 | Mt. Kenya United | 9 | (0) |
| 2019 | Nairobi City Stars | 7 | (0) |
| 2020-21 | FC Talanta | 5 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2021-22 | Kangemi All Stars (Head Coach) | ||
| 2022-23 | Nairobi United (Head Coach) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Okwatwa was often referred to as a journeyman having turned out for eleven Kenyan Premier League clubs between the years 2010 and 2019. The list includes A.F.C. Leopards,[2] Oserian F.C.,[3]Posta Rangers, Kakamega Homeboyz,[4] Gor Mahia F.C.,[5]Western Stima,[6][7] Ushuru F.C., Muhoroni Youth F.C., Sofapaka,[8] Tusker F.C.[9] and Mt. Kenya United.
Playing career
editOkatwa started his top-flight journey as a teenager at A.F.C. Leopards but after two of three seasons was released. At the start of the 2012 season, Okatwa moved to Naivasha-based Oserian F.C. where he lasted six months[10] before joining Posta Rangers for the rest of the year.
At the beginning of the 2013 season, Okatwa moved to the newly promoted premiership side Kakamega Homeboyz[11][12] but mid-season he was back in Nairobi to join Gor Mahia F.C. For the 2014 season, he was sent to Western Stima[13] [14] on a season-long deal.[15]
In 2015 he joined Ushuru F.C.[16] but quit after a less than three months.[17] In June he switched to Muhoroni Youth for the remainder[18] of the season. He was released by the club in March 2016[19] with three months left on his contract.
He joined Sofapaka in June 2016 and after a year he joined Tusker F.C. in June 2017[20] on a three-year deal. In June 2018, Okwatwa returned to Posta Rangers after six years[21] on a three-year deal but only lasted five months[22] till November of that year. He then opted to join his final top-flight workstation Nakumatt FC.
After years in the Premier League, Okatwa stepped down to join Nairobi City Stars in the second tier in April 2019 for a two-month stint till the end of the 2018-19 season. Thereafter, and after some time out due to injury, he joined another second-tier side FC Talanta in 2020.
Coaching career
editIn July 2021, he started his coaching journey after joining relegation-threatened Kangemi All-Stars[23] while in the Kenyan third-tier league. He called it a day from the club after losing a promotion play-off from the Kenyan third tier to the second tier to Kona Rangers.
He later took over as head coach of another third-tier side Nairobi United[24] whom he promoted after winning a playoff[25][26] 1-0 over Zoo FC from Kericho. In December 2023, Okatwa parted ways with the club.
References
edit- ^ The Star, 2 Jan2, 024 Okatwa leaves National Super League outfit Nairobi United
- ^ Futaa, 7 Sep 2011 Odhiambo back for Leopards
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 21 Jan 2012 Former Leopards’ striker settles at Oserian
- ^ Futaa, 24 Jan 2013 Paul Odhiambo happy with Homeboyz move
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 18 Jun 2013 Former AFC Leopards striker joins Gor Mahia
- ^ Futaa, 21 Dec 2014 Odhiambo to make his decision in January
- ^ Futaa, 2 Feb 2014 Kiplangat, Paul Odhiambo the biggest Stima captures
- ^ Futaa, 13 May 2017 Odhiambo on target as Sofapaka claw Chemelil
- ^ Futaa, 8 Jun 2017 Tusker snap out of contract Sofapaka attacker
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 20 Jun 2012 Ex-Ingwe man Paul Odhiambo quits Oserian
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 10 Mar 2013 Homeboyz striker impressed with team despite defeat
- ^ Futaa, 19 Jun 2013 Odhiamb should have made hay at Homeboyz
- ^ Standard, 14 Jan 2014 FOOTBALL: Paul Odhiambo joins Western Stima on loan from Gor
- ^ Futaa, 22 Feb 2014 Paul Odhiambo starts against Tusker
- ^ Futaa, 26 Nov 2014 Odhiambo free to seek new club
- ^ Futaa, 4 Jan 2015 Ushuru signs two more
- ^ Goal, 17 Mar 2015 Ushuru in turmoil as two players terminate contracts
- ^ Futaa, 16 Oct 2015 Injury boost for Muho ahead of Ushuru
- ^ Futaa, 24 Mar 2016 Adagala confirms player's contract termination
- ^ Futaa, 1 Sep 2017 Odhiambo explains Tusker switch: start to life at league champions
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 12 Jun 2018 Posta Rangers confirm capture of trio
- ^ Futaa, 3 Nov 2018 Seven dropped as Posta Rangers shapes for new campaign
- ^ Tisini, 13 May 2022 Paul Okatwa: The Journeyman Behind Kangemi All Stars Transformation
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 28 Nov 2023 Nairobi United boss Paul Okatwa heaps praise on magnificent Ouma
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 1 Aug, 2023 Okatwa sets sights on NSL promotion, undeterred by last season's play-off setback
- ^ Standard, 17 Aug 2023 How Odhiambo led Nairobi United to NSL
External links
edit- Paul Okatwa at Global Sports Archive
- Paul Okatwa Odhiambo at Faso Talents