World Cup Qualifier: Assist for Kenya from SC Verl

Kenya is a powerhouse within the marathon, however is even much less so in soccer. That ought to change with the assistance of Tobias Knost from the third league.

When Tobias Knost scrolled by Instagram lately, he discovered a brand new message. A person who claims to be the Kenyan nationwide coach asks if he may contemplate taking part in for the Kenyan nationwide soccer staff. The rationale: Knost was born in Berlin as a German son, however his mom comes from Nakuru, a giant metropolis in Kenya, East Africa.

And the dad and mom have been the primary to search out out in regards to the great information, Knost stated: “The humorous factor was my mum thought, ‘Wait, do not write it again, it is in all probability faux. .’” However happily, the 24-year-old doesn’t reply to his mom, responds to the true Kenyan nationwide coach and will get on the aircraft to Nairobi a little bit later.

East Africa as an alternative of East Westphalia

In Verl they know Knost as a fast right-back with a transparent head; he lately scored a aim within the Westphalia Cup towards Arminia Bielefeld. It was solely within the ultimate stage of the season that he gained a daily place and ensured that there was a clear sheet towards Münster and Dresden.

Apparently, Knost influenced Engin Fırat, the Kenyan nationwide coach, who himself comes from the island of Norderney. For Fırat, the appointment of Knost is barely the start: “He’s undoubtedly one of many first gamers to come back from the German area. We now have a scouting system the place we goal Kenyan gamers from the Area Europe.” Cologne’s Linton Maina can be on the high of Fırat’s checklist.

Knost ought to be an actual Kenyan

Knost, lately in Kenya as a 3-year-old, began coaching instantly, though the warmth and altitude took a toll on him: “I undoubtedly really feel the depth of the coaching, to particular as a result of we’re right here at 1,800. meters.

His teammates are pleased with the bizarre help, confirms captain Michael Olunga: “Tobias is an excellent participant with the ball, and he’s very athletic and versatile. Though Knost speaks good English, his teammates now wish to educate him Swahili. He also can put together himself for Kenyan meals, “in order that he would not at all times should eat simply noodles and rooster,” as Olunga defined with a smile. The person from SC Verl ought to be a real Kenyan.

A begin – due to the forms

The Kenyan gamers are largely at dwelling Premier League lively, the few legionnaires embody three gamers from the Danish premier league, one other taking part in in Portugal. The star of the East Africans is Michael Olunga, Al-Duhail’s goalscorer from Qatar. Till now, the Kenyans have by no means been capable of qualify for the World Cup and the final Africa Cup of Nations was 5 years in the past and so they by no means made it previous the preliminary spherical. Now the large aim is to succeed with Knost, coach Fırat defined: “The large aim is the 2027 African Championships in Kenya, the place we simply must have a high staff.”

Earlier than that it is World Cup qualification towards African champions Ivory Coast, an actual beginning group round Hallér Dortmund and Leverkusen defender Kossounou. Knost couldn’t have chosen a extra engaging recreation for his debut: “It is undoubtedly a totally completely different accountability once you put on the nationwide jersey as a result of that the entire nation behind you. Knost really needed to make his debut within the worldwide match towards Burundi final Friday, however the Kenyan forms hindered his plans: his Kenyan citizenship got here too late.

Knost desires to know Kenya

Not solely does Knost wish to play soccer, however he additionally desires to expertise Kenya past the soccer discipline and staff lodge. He instantly feels at dwelling in Gikomba, Nairobi’s largest market. It’s busy and loud, all eyes are on the long run nationwide participant: “The persons are very pleasant and heat, generally very curious.”

He cannot discover the Verl jersey right here, however he guarantees: “Subsequent time I am going to take the SC Verl jersey with me. The one German jersey they’ve right here is Dortmund, however that is not sufficient. ”