Dreams will become reality when we strive for them and work hard for the things we wish to become or do.
All is seen through the talented footballer from Mombasa, Kenya, who began his football career at Mvita Grounds and currently plays for Bandari Football Club in the Kenya Premier League
Abdulrahman Muhammad, famously known as Abdere, is a mentor to young players from Mombasa who aspire to build successful football careers.
But how did Abdere’s career start?
Abdere, began his football career at Mvita Youngstars at a tender age before joining at Regional, a club based in the UAE, before then catching the eye of Portuguese side FC Porto. He went for trials at Porto for six months, and the club wanted to sign him after the season ended. However, he returned to Regional before the deal could be finalized so as to conclude the season.
Looking back to where it started, he acknowledged that it was for the love of football that made him interact with other kids around Mvita.
Mvita and by extension Mombasa, have produced top football players in the country the likes of Mohamed Hassan ‘Rio’ who played for Admiral at the start of his career, Harambee Stars fullback Abud Omar, Siraj Mohamed, who played for Bandari FC, Robert Mambo who is a former player of Swedish club GIF Sundsvall and many among others.
“For me, it was something I would do not for the sake of training but for the sake of going professional and also my dream was to play for a top team such as FC Barcelona,” Abdere said.
“I expect to be where I am today, because of the hard work and also my trust in Allah that he will make it happen for me. Also, my love for football has not always been a job or a profession, but also for fun. I have always enjoyed it.”
–UAE journey–
Abdere was in two football academies first in UAE then in Porto, Portugal before a proposed move to Atlético Madrid came closer to reality. The Spanish giants had reached an agreement with Porto to allow them to sign him. While finishing the season with Regional, however, Abdere suffered a knee injury that hindered all the moves. He had to stay out of football for a period of about six months.
“There was no harder time for me than when I got injured. I was on the verge of quitting football, but because my friends encouraged me, I decided to keep going,” said Abdere.
After finishing his contract at Regional, he returned to Kenya, where Bandari Youth FC wanted him. He helped the team gain promotion to the FKF Division Two League and was later promoted to the Bandari senior team.
He told us that he is very happy to have the opportunity to play for Bandari as the club is one of the best in Kenya currently competing in the top-tier league.
The goal he won’t forget was his first match with Regional when he got a penalty and scored a Panenka—something he had been missing during training.
One of his dreams is to play for the national team, Harambee Stars someday. He also advises Mvita youth that football is not easy, but they can make it with hard work and discipline.
By ABDULRAHMAN ALLUI
