From Top Harambee Stars Defender to Car Parking Attendant

Joseph Shikokoti playing for Tusker FC during a past match in 2014.
Joseph Shikokoti playing for Tusker FC during a past match in 2014.
Goal.com

The name Joseph Shikokoti may not ring a bell to many Kenyans, however, for the football enthusiasts, the player is well known. 

Standing out for his towering figure at 6 feet 7 inches, it is hard to miss the former defender, who not only played for the national team, Harambee Stars, but also played for top tier teams such as Abaluhya Football Club (A.F.C) Leopards, Ushuru, Stima, Tusker F.C, as well as Tanzania’s Yanga.

Despite all his accolades, Shikokoti's life has taken a turn for the worst, as he currently engages in menial jobs in order to stay afloat. He now works as a security guard and car parking attendant in Lavington, Nairobi.

One may ask, where did it all go wrong for the elite player?

Joseph Shikokoti playing for AFC Leopards during a past match in 2014.
Joseph Shikokoti playing for AFC Leopards during a past match in 2014.
Goal.com

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the 35-year-old player entailed that his life turned bleak after suffering a grave injury that led to the end of his career. Before he decided to hang up his boots, he was playing for a Sudanese team.

"I left AFC Leopards in 2014 after suffering an injury. The last time I played competitive football was in Sudan," he stated.

Thereafter, he opened a hotel business for his wife in order to make ends meet. However, the situation got worse after the pandemic hit, which led to closure of the business.

He attributed this to low sales which ultimately led to them working just to pay the stall's rent- a signal that the business was in its early grave.

Staring at a desolate situation, Shikokoti resolved to do menial jobs in order to cater for his wife and two children.

"In every situation you have to make ends meet to cater for your family. So, a friend of mine contacted me and offered me a job as a parking attendant in Lavington. I also do other menial jobs to put food for my family," he stated.

He revealed that he was open to other jobs as well, including driving assignments in order to make ends meet.

The former player is known for playing for the national team at both the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He joined AFC Leopards in 2014 for a record Ksh700,000 to play as a centre back. 

Among his memorable moments include scoring his first goal for Ingwe in a 6–0 victory over the Green Commandoes of Kakamega High School in a warm up match. Further, in June 2014, he scored the equaliser against his former club, Tusker FC, in the Meru Cup final. 

Shikokoti's story highlights the plight amongst many players in the country, who are forced to take home peanuts which they receive as allowances.

Former Kenya's star footballer, McDonald Mariga, in a past interview, revealed that the players currently receive a mere Ksh750 a day as allowances compared to his time when they received between Ksh5,000 and Ksh10,000. 

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama and his elder brother MacDonald Mariga with media personality Jeff Koinange.
Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama and his elder brother MacDonald Mariga with media personality Jeff Koinange in June 14, 2018
Daily Nation