How humble beginnings shaped Jockins Atudo's career

For the decade and a half he has played football at the top level, Jockins Atudo never got any career-threatening injury. But mid-last year, while featuring for Posta Rangers, he suffered a nasty knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines to date.

Atudo, 35, however, says his recovery is proceeding well and he remains hopeful of making a comeback when the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) 2020/21 season kicks off.

"I am not fully recovered yet but the progress has been steady and I am hoping to be ready in good time for the season. I still feel strong enough and I know I can play at the highest level for a few more seasons," he told Nation Sport.

Countryside

Atudo credits his upbringing in the countryside for his longevity in the game.

"I was brought up in South Nyanza where life is simple and the youth over there are not exposed to a lot of things that distract upcoming footballers. I have stuck to that simple lifestyle of just training, playing football and resting indoors to date and I think that is why I am still playing competitive football, 15 years later," he said.

"In Nairobi and other urban centres, footballers are easily lured into the nightlife where partying is the norm and they easily lose focus. It is very difficult to be consistent in football and any other sport if you don't train hard and rest well."

"In Nairobi, where I have been based for a while now, you see a very promising footballer rising fast and joining a big team but after just a season or two he is again down the pecking order and soon he is dropped. The fame gets into their heads and they forget to keep working hard," he added.

Atudo started his career at Sony Sugar Youth while still in High School and was eventually promoted to the senior team in 2008. He moved to Tusker in 2009 where he played for three seasons and he mentions current Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi as the man who has played a very big role in his career.

"Many coaches helped me along the way but I think it is Kimanzi who took my game to the next level. He noticed my ability while I was still at Sony and even called me up to the senior national team. This was a dream come true for me."

"I, however, did not make it to the first team immediately but he urged me to be patient and he started introducing me slowly into the team until I became a regular. He has been a father figure in my career," Atudo said of the Kimanzi. The two also worked together at Tusker for two years, in 2014 and 2015 when Kimanzi was the head coach.

Comeback

Even as he recovers and prepares for a comeback, Atudo is already thinking of life after football. Atudo, and Noah Abich, who until recently was playing for Nairobi City Stars, train young kids at the Underwater Football Academy in Zimmerman, Nairobi.

"This is my neighborhood and coaching is my way of giving back to the game that changed my life. We did not have professionals to guide us while growing up and it is just by God's grace that we made it to the top level in football."

"Coaching gives me satisfaction and it is something I am looking forward to pursuing fully once I hang up my boots eventually."