Five Things You Did Not Know About Rising SPL Star Peter Thiong'o

KAKAMEGA, Kenya – Peter Thiong’o is the newest star in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) with his shining performances for Kakamega Homeboyz FC earning him recognition as the December Player of the Month.

SportPesa News caught up with the midfielder who has his eyes set on playing for Harambee Stars in the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in Kakamega and brings the five things you did not know about this teenage sensation.

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1. Last born and the only boy in his family

Thiong’o was born and raised in the sprawling Ndondori Estate in Nakuru County first kicked a football in 2005.The 19 year-old is not only the last-born but the only boy in a family of six. 

“I thank my father and my four loving sisters who have been a pillar in my football journey. I dedicate this award to them,” Thiong’o underlined after he was crowned the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for December on Wednesday.

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2. Youngest player at Homeboyz

At 19, Thiong’o is currently the youngest Homeboyz player where the average age of the playing unit is 24.

He also became the first player to win the SportPesa/ SJAK award in the new SPL season that kicked-off on December 8.

3. SPL first timer was rejected by Nzoia United FC

Thiong’o featured for several clubs including Nakuru AllStars FC and St. Joseph FC in the second division FKF National Super League (NSL) last year.

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He opted to go for trials at SPL side Nzoia in the pre-season where his bid to join the club was turned down.

Discouraged, he left the sugar millers to try his luck with Homeboyz in November where the club owner, Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula, spotted his talent.

Shimanyula signed him a few days before the kick-off on December 8 and Thiong’o did not disappoint.

He scored twice and set up three other goals to help his new team register crucial wins over Kenya Commercial Bank FC and AFC Leopards SC in December.

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5. Manchester United FC striker, Anthony Martial is his role model

Thiong’o supports English Premier League (EPL) side United and his favourite Red Devil is France striker Martial who has rediscovered his form under interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solkjaer.

“He is such a good dribbler with admirable technique. I always try to copy his style and sometimes, it has worked perfectly for me,” he revealed.

4. He is an alumnus of KSSSA School Games titans Olbollosat 

Olbollosat Secondary School from Central Kenya has risen from obscurity to become a force in national and regional sports in recent years.

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The school has been on the rise in football since Thiong’o wrote his final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education paper there in 2016.

Olbollosat made the national school games finals in Eldoret last year, losing 0-1 to giants Kakamega High School Green Commandoes, who play in the NSL.