Mike Origi

Michael Okoth Origi (born 16 November 1967) is a Kenyan retired footballer. Initially playing as a goalkeeper he converted to a striker at Shabana,[1][2] a position that he would feature in for both club and country.

Mike Origi
Personal information
Full name Michael Okoth Origi
Date of birth (1967-11-16) 16 November 1967
Place of birth Nairobi, Kenya
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1988 Shabana
1989–1991 Kenya Breweries
1991–1992 Boshar
1992–1996 KV Oostende 71 (11)
1996–1998 KRC Harelbeke 56 (11)
1998–2002 Genk 81 (20)
2002 Molenbeek 27 (10)
2002–2004 Heusden-Zolder 57 (9)
2004–2006 Tongeren 55 (25)
National team
1989–2004 Kenya 48 (17)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He spent most of his professional career in Belgium, while at international level he represented the Kenya national football team on 48 occasions between 1989 and 2004, scoring 17 goals.[3] He is the father of Belgian international footballer, Divock Origi.

Club career

Okoth started his football career with Itierio Secondary School from where he was spotted by Shabana.[4] He would feature for Shabana in the Kenyan Super League and at continental level in the African Champions Cup.[5]

In 1992, he moved to Omani club Al Boshar and after the Africa Cup of Nations K.V. Oostende of the Belgian Second Division.

He would experience success with Racing Club Genk winning the 1998–99 Belgian First Division and the 1999-00 Belgian Cup.

Okoth would end his career in 2006 playing in the Belgian Third Division with K.S.K. Tongeren and later with Cobox 76.

International career

Okoth earned his first international call up in the 1989 CECAFA Cup turning out for a Kenya 'B' team.[6]

He would represent the Harambee Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990, 1992 and 2004.

Personal life

Okoth is of Luo ethnicity.[7] His older brother Austin "Makamu" Oduor Origi was a defender and captain for Gor Mahia and the Kenya national football team. His younger brothers would also feature in the Kenya Super League, Anthony Origi for Kenya Breweries and Gerald Origi for Utalii FC.

Arnold Origi, his nephew and son to Austin Oduor is a goalkeeper for Norwegian Tippeligaen side Lillestrøm and the Kenya national team.

His son Divock Origi[8] is one of Liverpool's most beloved footballers. He played for the Genk U-15 team and signed for Lille in May 2010. He scored on his debut for the Ligue 1 side against Troyes on 4 February 2013.[9] He was selected to be part of the Belgium national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by former player and then manager Marc Wilmots,[10] and became the youngest Belgian player ever to score at a World Cup finals when he scored in the 88th minute of a 1–0 win over Russia to secure a spot in the knock-out stage for the Red Devils. Divock is also a UEFA Champions League winner and scored in the final.[11][12]

References
  1. "Retired star Mike Okoth speaks about his son Divock's love for Kenya - Nairobi News". Nairobi News. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  2. "Profile of Mike Okoth Origi". kenyapage.net. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  3. Mamrud, Roberto. "Mike Okoth Origi - International Appearances". RSSSF.
  4. Gisesa, Nyambega. "KPL: Shabana keen to restore lost glamour". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  5. "Head to head stats Kabwe Warriors FC (Kabwe), Zambia - Shabana FC (Kisii), Kenya". wildstat.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  6. "Profile of Mike Okoth Origi Kenya Page Blog". kenyapage.net. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  7. Robin Toskin (29 June 2014). "In footsteps of his father: Belgium star Divock Origi proud of Kenyan heritage, speaks Kiswahili and four Luo words". The Standard. São Paulo, Brazil. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  8. "Dreams from Origi's father come true". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  9. Divock Origi scores debut goal in Ligue 1 - Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  10. "Adnan Januzaj included in Belgium's World Cup squad". BBC. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  11. "Belgium v Russia". BBC. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  12. "Divock Origi's Late Goal for Belgium Defeats Russia". Bleacher Report. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
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