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Why luck plays no part for Kenya’s serial winner Wanga

By ISAAC SWILA November 20th, 2016 2 min read

By lifting the SportPesa Premier League title with Tusker on Saturday evening, Allan Wanga completes a remarkable rarity among the current pool of Kenyan players.

What makes his chapter glossing is the fact that he’s won the league title twice with the same club but in different spells as well as several other honours across the globe.

His first league conquest came on his debut season in 2007 when he bagged 23 goals for the brewers’ enroute to claiming the Golden Boot award.

Fast forward to 2016, after a nine year wait, the 30-year-old Wanga has written another chapter in his footballing career rightfully emerging as one of the most decorated Kenyan footballers having a won a total of 11 titles locally and abroad.

Upon leaving the Kenyan Premier League in December 2007, Wanga docked at Angolan club Petro Atletico where he helped them claim the league honours in his debut season scoring nine goals. In the succeeding season, Petro retained the trophy with Wanga scoring eight goals.

CHILDHOOD DREAM

Wanga would soon leave Angola in 2010 for a new challenge in Azerbaijan where he signed for FC Baku. At Baku, he was less prolific scoring just four goals before returning home to join Sofapaka on loan 2010, scoring four goals as Batoto ba Mungu claimed the GOtv Shied.

Wanga would later join Hagl FC in Vietnam in 2011 helping them win the domestic cup after an impressive season that yielded 10 goals.

In 2013, he returned home fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for AFC Leopards, a club which his father Frank Wetende turned out for.

At Ingwe, the script according plan as he instantly became a star performer and fans favourite justifying why he was always among the first names on team sheet. He featured prominently as Leopards claimed the GOtv Shield with 11 goals to his credit in the campaign.

The same season, lady luck smiled on him as he bagged the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup scoring twice as Harambee Stars beat Sudan 2-0 in an epic final at a rain swept Nyayo National Stadium on December 12, 2013.

BOUNDLESS SUCCESS

Wanga would later move to Sudan’s giants El Merreikh in 2014 helping the team to the Cecafa Club Championship final in Kigali, Rwanda.

In 2015, he retained the same trophy with Azam of Tanzania after his club saw off a spirited challenge from Gor Mahia winning 2-1.

So with boundless successes has it been a case of sheer luck or hard work for the father of two?

I don’t believe in luck. Every title won is basically because of hard work and proper planning. That’s the secret, if you can call it that,” he says.

“I thank God for the achievements and I dedicate it to my family, friends and everyone who believed in my ability. I’m looking forward to more especially in the Champions League next season and with the national team,” the soft spoken Wanga adds.

Allan Wanga’s goals and titles record:

2007 – Tusker 23 goals (KPL champions)

2008 – Petro 9 goals (champions)

2009 – Petro 8 goals (champions)

2010 – Baku 4 goals (Cup)

2010 – Sofapaka 4 goals (GOtv Shield)

2011 – Hagl 10 goals (Cup)

2013 – AFC Leopards 11 goals (GOtv Shield)

2013 – Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup

2014 – El Merreikh 7 goals (Cup)

2014- El Mereikh (Kagame Cup)

2015 – Azam (Kagame Cup)

2016 – Tusker (GOtv Shield)

2016 – Tusker (KPL champions)