Tusker’s Rising Shot-Stopper Obiero Eyes No.1 Spot with Clean Sheet Ambition.
Brandon Obiero, Tusker FC’s emerging goalkeeper, is determined to cement his place between the posts after back-to-back shutouts in the Kenyan Premier League.
The former Kariobangi Sharks and FC Talanta custodian grabbed his chance when injury sidelined first choice Brian Opondo, delivering clean sheets against Mara Sugar and Ulinzi Stars.
Breakthrough Debut Fuels Big Dreams
Obiero joined Tusker last summer but bided his time behind veterans Joseph Ochuka and Opondo.
His debut 1-0 win over Mara Sugar, followed by another against Ulinzi, earned high praise from coach Charles Okere, who challenged him to stay consistent amid fierce competition.
“When I joined in the summer, I found coach Okere had already settled on Brian [Opondo], with experienced Ochuka [Joseph] waiting in the wings. I decided to train hard and remain focused because I knew an opportunity would come, and eventually that patience has paid off,” he said.
“When I got the chance against Mara Sugar, I knew this was the moment I had been waiting for. I told myself that if I let this slip I might not get another chance, which is why I gave my all and we won the match while keeping a clean sheet,” he recalled.
“Training with Joseph Ochuka, who has amassed a lot of experience in the top flight, and Opondo, who has even trained with Harambee Stars on two call-ups, has really helped me and made me a better keeper than I was when I joined. The competition between the three of us has made us better everyone wants to play and that’s why I’ve always been ready. This healthy competition has brought me to where I am now,” he added.
Obiero’s mindset: patient training paid off, and now he targets 13 more clean sheets in the remaining 22 matches to push Tusker up the table and catch national team scouts.
Alongside Ochuka’s experience and Opondo’s Harambee Stars exposure has elevated Obiero’s game.
He credits this “healthy competition” for keeping everyone sharp, emphasizing team wins as the path to titles for the 13-time champions currently sixth with 12 points.
“He has done really well over the last two matches and I am very pleased with his performance. I am happy for him, and now it’s up to him to be consistent. He has made some superb saves that have ensured we don’t concede. This is now a challenge to the other players that once you are given a chance, it’s up to you to make the most of it,” Okere noted.
Okere noted Obiero’s superb saves as a wake-up call for the squad, proving opportunities must be seized in the high-stakes FKF Premier League.
“Playing regularly and performing at club level will help me market myself, since my dream has been to turn out for the national team. There’s no opportunity with the national team if you’re not playing well at club level. With my target, I’m sure I can hit it if we continue to play as a team,” he stated.
“We need to keep working together because at the end of the day we need to win our matches that’s the only way to be crowned champions at the end of the season.”
With Sofapaka up next at Kasarani Annex, Obiero eyes regular starts to build his profile. His journey from Vihiga United and stints at Posta Rangers, Bidco, Sony Sugar, and Coast Stima mirrors Tusker’s knack for nurturing talent into stars.
Success here could propel him toward national duty, boosting Tusker’s championship bid in a season of tight battles and redemption arcs.