I thought it was a prank: AFC's Mahiga reveals 'crazy' 3am call from Harambee Stars

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 2 - He was not even in the preliminary squad, and had not trained with head coach Engin Firat ever before, but a reported scuffle that led to the expulsion of two members of the team saw AFC Leopards left back Vincent Mahiga earn his first ever cap with national football team Harambee Stars.

He was called in at 3am and asked to immediately report to the team's camp, and that is how he made the trip to Malawi for the four-nations tournament, and played the full games against the hosts and Zimbabwe in the final, Stars winning both.

Mahiga had been called in to replace Abud Omar, who had been dropped from the travelling team alongside Eric Johannah, after a reported physical altercation at the team's hotel before they travelled to Malawi.

With Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma injured and no natural left back in the team, head coach Firat made the call to AFC's Mahiga, who was enjoying some fine form with the 12-time league champions.

"At first, I thought it was a joke," Mahiga says, in an interview with Capital Sports.

But, while he admits the call came as a surprise, he thanks his teammate, Kayci Odhiambo, who was already in the squad, for giving him a heads up.

"Kayci called me at around 3am and told me to stay alert because I might receive a call from the team. I woke up and even as I was processing what he told me, less than five minutes later, I was given a call and asked to report to camp immediately. The good thing is I had my papers intact and that is how I rushed from home to the airport," Mahiga says.

"I couldn't believe it. I was excited of course because this is something extra ordinary. I always had the urge to play for the national team and as a player, you always have to be ready," Mahiga explains.

For most people, a 3am call from an uknown number might be easily ignored, and that is why Mahiga has Kaycie to thank for alerting him.

"I knew that there was a chance he might not pick an unknown number at such a time because definitely, most people are deep asleep. That is why I called him first just to alert him and keep him up," Kaycie told Capital Sports.

He made his debut against Malawi, and put in a good shift for a debutant, and showed a much improved performance when he started again in the final match against Zimbabwe.

"It was a great feeling. When I stepped to the pitch during warm up I was really excited. At some point I couldn't believe it was me. Before the game I just spoke to myself, told myself to cool down and not let the emotions get over me," Mahiga explains.

He adds; "I am really happy to have made my debut because this is such a dream, especially in the manner that I did. I want to thank coach Firat and the technical bench for giving me that chance."

With the next international window being a competitive one, with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at home against African champions Ivory Coast and Burundi, Mahiga hopes he can impress once again to receive an early call to the team.

He says making his debut has spurred him to keep working, and he now dreams of doing more for both club and country.

"Definitely I want to keep playing for the national team. I need to keep working hard and making good performances at club level for me to get the call once again. I am looking forward to it," noted the former Nzoia Sugar man.