You have to go back to 2016 to see how important Amos Nonde Obero was to Gor Mahia.
The box-to-box midfielder who graduated from the Gor Mahia youth team was loaned to Sony Sugar FC in the 2015 season but remained with the first team the following year after the arrival of Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira, who had just arrived from Brazil.
According to Nondi, the experience at Sony Sugar gave him a clue as to what he was expecting on the supreme journey.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to appear to the first team in a proper way and I think the move to Sony helped me. While it kept the pressure and demands from fans away, it opened my eyes even more to what I expected in the first division. When I went back to Gore for pre-season training, I knew what I have to do it and I’m glad I did,” Nonde says.
Amos Nunde celebrates his first goal for him Tweet embed Against Chemillium Sugar #SPL16 pic.twitter.com/AkXwakwmo1
– Bonface Osano September 10, 2016
Like any young player, Nunde says his ambition was to play professional football, and that dream came true when he was moving to Georgia in 2017 where he is now.
Upon his arrival, the Harambee Stars midfielder revealed how he had to change positions in order to get more playing time with his inspiration after coming from former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama.
“I arrived here (Georgia) in 2017 with Kolhketi Pohti. They were a club that showed a lot of interest in me and I want to be grateful for the confidence they showed me. I went straight into the team but then my coach felt that I had the qualities of being a defensive midfielder.
Highlights of attacking midfielder Amos Nunde with Georgian first division team Kulshite Poti. pic.twitter.com/0Fk0LAp5ze
Vincent Opio (@vincentsopiyo) August 30, 2017
“Before I got here, I had read how Wanyama had to change positions several times to achieve his dreams and I took the advice of my coach when it became clear that he wanted me to play a different role. I struggled in the first game but he was also patient with me. That was the beginning of my journey in 6th place and I didn’t I look back since then,” Nunde adds.
From Coljete, Nunde moved to his league rival, Della Gouri a year later, and with time he moved to the right-back position; A figure that played well in his debut for the national team this month.
“I don’t think I ever thought I would play in defence, but that has been the case this season because we have had a lot of injuries as a team. I am not surprised that I succeeded in this position because in order to be perfect at something, you first have to welcome the change and constantly work to improve.”
“Playing for the national team is a dream for any young footballer and I would have fulfilled it even if I played in another different position. It was an honor and I am happy that I did well in the two matches (against Uganda and Rwanda) as a right-back.”
But he’s not the only Kenyan in Georgia… You can read how midfielders Amos Nunde and John Macharia have performed this season. https://t.co/Bl3vgS6qQv
– Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) December 9, 2019
To underscore his importance to his club, Nundee has managed 29 out of 34 league games this season for Della, where he currently sits third in the record with 60 points. They earned a bite out of the UEFA Conference League as they were eliminated by Serbian side Ziljan, something the midfielder hopes to take part in regularly.
“Playing in the big competitions in Europe gives you more challenges and as a player, that’s what you need for your development. I want to believe that we are able to participate in those competitions year after year because we are helping Della reach those levels of European football.”
Amos Nunde’s career
- 2018–present: Della Gouri
- 2017-2018: Colchite Putti
- 2016: Gor Mahia
- 2015: Sonny Sukkar (loan)
- 2014: Youth of Gor Mahia
