FKFPL: ‘It was like going from grass to grace’ - Daniel Sakari shares journey from leisure football at the university to being a Harambee Stars regular

The Kenyan international right was playing rugby from 2013-2016 , but this is how he ended up playing football.

The journey to the top of Kenyan football for Tusker and Harambee Stars right back Daniel Sakari has not been the usual one usually taken by most footballers.

A Lot of Kenyan footballers always say that they started playing football from a very young age and then ended up making a career out of it.

For Sakari, his first love was actually rugby, just like Welsh superstar footballers Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Sakari played rugby while a student at Maseno High School, but it was at university when he shifted to football.

“ It was actually the guys I used to hang out with in campus school who convinced me to switch to football, believe it or not. In campus, rugby was not that big of a deal compared to how it is now. That is how I got into it,” Sakari said.

Sakari attended the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kakamega, which is a stone throw away from the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.  Naturally, his football career was going to be launched faster.

“ At first, I was actually just trying to enjoy myself. We used to take part in the interdepartmental games but coaches happened to be there watching and before long, I was part of the university first team.”

After playing for the MMUST team, he was then snapped up by Green Commandos who play in the national first division, before joining Kakamega Homeboyz soon after.

“ I started playing semi-professionally by the time I was in fourth year. That is when I was playing for Kakamega Homeboyz. At the beginning of third year, that is when I was playing for Green Commandos.”

The 24-year-old right back studied Pure Mathematics and Applied Statistics at the University, a course he says was not easy to handle, especially given the challenge of having to balance between his studies and his career as an FKF Premier League footballer.

“It was a big challenge. There was no time to rest. When I left the pitch, I would have to go dig into the books again and the nature of the course I did was basically practical. I would only sleep for two or three hours maximum. But I just had to persevere for two or three years.

“ It was very tricky. If there were exams or cats, I basically had to ask for some time off to focus on them and then join the side for camping later.”

In 2019, Sakari left Kakamega Homeboyz for Kariobangi Sharks, based in Nairobi because it was more convenient for him as he had to complete a practical attachment as part of the requirements for his course.

“I went for attachment in Nairobi so I basically had to change and join Kariobangi Sharks. Given the nature of the things I was handling, I had to complete a crash course between third year and fourth year in order to help me complete school much faster.”

In 2020, the whole world was hit by a crisis when everything had to be put to a halt due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Sakari says it was a big challenge.

“We basically could not do what we wanted. All you could do was wake up, and sleep and on occasion, play with your mates in the streets.

National team commitments

In his first season at Sharks, Sakari netted two goals and registered eight assists, a run of good form which earned him a call up to the Harrambe Stars squad for a friendly match against Malawi in October 2019 under Francis Kimanzi.

“It was like going from grass to grace. As I was talking to the senior pros like Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga , they were telling me that being called up was one thing and actually playing was another, so it was kind of a challenge.

Sakari was always being called up between 2019 and 2020 and earned some playing time with the B side during the CECAFA challenge cup in Ethiopia,  but it was in 2021 that he made his debut against Tanzania under Jacob “Ghost” Mulee in March 2021.

He was given the chance to start against Egypt in a do-or-die clash against the side that boasted the likes of Mohammed Salah and Mohammed Elneny at the Kasarani Stadium for Kenya to stand a chance of qualifying for the tournament.

Kenya drew 1-1 with Egypt and failed to qualify for the tournament, although they did beat Togo a few days later. However, one might argue Kenya should have beat Egypt because they were far superior.

 Sakari was excellent that night, bombing forwards at every available opportunity and whenever he launched throw ins, they constantly caused havoc in the opposition box.

“ It was an amazing experience to be fair, and it also happened to be my birthday by the way. The pre-talk held by the gaffer also encouraged me alot, which is why I played that well.”

Kenya has traditionally had problems with the right back position and Sakari is hoping to make the position his own as he currently battles out with Daniel Anyembe and Amos Nondi  for the position under Engin Firat.

“I think it is just a matter of time before I establish myself. I am working towards becoming a household name,” 

A versatile fullback.

At Tusker, Sakari has played left full back on a couple of occasions especially when Boniface Onyango was ruled out with injury and before Levin Odhiambo joined the club.

He also filled in there during the Brewers’ CAF Confederations clash against SF Sfaxien in 2021. But why would a right back by trade play in an unfamiliar position?

“I have been playing as a left back for a while..I have that position for nearly ten games I think, so it is something I am used to. When I was at Sharks, I also played as a left back as well, so it is something I am used to.

“ I find it easier when I face a left footed winger playing left and a right footed player playing right. Both will want to get to the byline and deliver crosses which makes it easier for you as a fullback. It is more difficult to face players who cut inside and they can draw you out of position.”

The fullback is known to possess a long flat bullet throw which has been used as a weapon for any side he has played for in his career. 

“ I have always had that skill in my arsenal, but playing rugby also helped big time. I used to throw the ball so it impacted it.

Winning mentality at Tusker

Sakari joined Tusker in 2021 and helped them win the voided 2021/22 FKF Premier League title. He however has the chance to make amends by helping the side deliver both the league and cup double this season, especially motivated by the death of his beloved father in May.

“I have enjoyed my experience at Tusker and has given me another eye in life. It has given me a sense of winning mentality. I enjoyed my time at Homeboyz and Sharks, but those sides were more about achieving mid-table and avoiding relegation. At Tusker, you set out to win.”

“I lost my dad and I am super grateful for the support I was given by my teammates and well wishers.Winning the double would be a good way to give him the perfect send off.”

Future plans

Sakari hopes to make it as a fulltime footballer, although he has given consideration to pursuing a career professionally as a statistician should football fail to work out.

“ When I completed my attachment, I decided to give myself four or five years to see if football was worthwhile. If not, I was to continue putting my energy into statistics. I want this to be the year that I make it completely in football. I hope I will even be able to go abroad soon.