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Former Tusker defender Eugene Asike is on a path less travelled having landed a deal in England that is allowing him to play football while pursuing his other passion and dream.
Former Tusker FC defender Eugene Asike is walking a path few have been on.
Having played for some of Kenya’s top clubs in Tusker, Sofapaka and KCB, Asike is now playing in England at 31.
Rarely do players make the jump from the Kenyan league to England, and more surprisingly at 31.
But this is what Asike is on, having landed a deal with Isthmanian League side Whitehawk FC.
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However, what took the defender to England was not primarily to play football but to learn a new skill as he begins to prepare for life after playing.
Based in the South Coast of England, Asike’s stint at Whitehawk gives him an opportunity to work with Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coaches of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion while studying the same at Brighton University.
It is a dream he has had for years and even started his own S&C company Elevate Athletics and when the opportunity in England knocked, he turned down several offers to play in Kenya to pursue his ambitions.
“I was offered a spot at Brighton University to study S&C after them watching what I do on the side apart from active football,” Asike told TelecomAsiaSport.
“There was also a good opportunity presented for me to continue my football career in England and experience the English football culture. I turned down several offers I had back home and decided to take up this challenge,” added the defender, who is now getting immersed into English culture.
“It is a massive opportunity to be honest. I get to have sessions with the S&C coaches of Brighton FC, just to put what I have learnt into practice. Working with the coaches has been an eye opener for me and a huge learning curve, gaining valuable experience in the process. You get to learn how things are done in top professional clubs and this increases your knowledge and you appreciate the game more.”
Isthmanian League is the regional league in England and while it is so many levels behind the Premier League, Asike says it is not easy by any means, expressing an ambition to get them promoted even if a stint in the top flight is a stretch too far.
“It’s fast, physical and direct. I am loving the challenge so far and my aspiration is to get the team promoted, play as many games as possible and play in the highest league in the country,” said Asike.
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“It might be a challenge to fly all the way to the Premier League because of the restrictions around Kenya’s FIFA ranking, but who knows, if an opportunity arises, I will be more than delighted.
“I have never thought I would play in one of the English football leagues and still have the opportunity to work with Brighton fitness coaches. So having to do both of them at the same time is amazing and unbelievable.”
A two-time Kenyan Premier League winner, Asike, who won three caps for Harambee Stars, knows his active playing days are nearing the end and wants to make the most of the opportunities that have come his way.
He is not ruling out a career in coaching but of most importance is his burning ambition in S&C where he is keen to ensure he gets a degree in Sports Science to realise his dream.
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