Football
Exclusive: How Advice From Kapaito Helped Mootian Walk Into Harambee Stars Squad
Ulinzi Stars' Leshan Mootian shares how Erick Kapaito's advice guided his journey from Kenya’s fourth tier to the Harambee Stars' AFCON squad. Mootian, a military man, pledges to bring the spirit of KDF to the pitch in the vital qualifiers
Image Credits: Mozzartbet Kenya
Ulinzi Stars attacking midfielder Leshan Mootian has partly attributed his inclusion in the Harambee Stars squad, for the final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, to the solid advice he received from two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner Erick Kapaito, when he joined top-tier football.
Mootian made it to the final 23-man squad unveiled by coach Engin Firat on Friday for the upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia, making history as one of the players to have walked to the national team barely ten months after ditching fourth tier football.
This was the second time he was making it to the national team having earned his first call-up at the start of the month for a CHAN return match against South Sudan.
Kenya will take on Zimbabwe on Friday November 15 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa before hosting Namibia at the same venue four days later.
The two matches are significant to the country as six points will guarantee the team a return ticket to the AFCON after five years in the cold.
They equally have massive importance to Mootian, who intends to capitalize on the exposure and help the national cause, and pursue the goal he vowed to when he joined top-flight football.
WHAT KAPAITO TOLD MOOTIAN AFTER JOINING ULINZI
Mootian, in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom after landing the call-up, revealed how the advice Kapaito offered him last year has helped him grow and why his wish to mirror his success.
He disclosed that Kapaito walked to him after their league match in February at Lang'ata Sports Complex, and challenged him to be confident and shared tips of succeeding in the league.
Kapaito is arguably the most successful footballer in the Kenyan top tier in recent memory as he has clinched the MVP award and the 'Golden Boot' twice in the four seasons he graced the competition.
Image Credits: Mozzartbet Kenya
The 29-year-old was named the MVP and boot winner in the 2018 season and replicated the double success in the 2020-2021 campaign with Kariobangi Sharks.
Since his arrival to the top tier in 2018, Kapaito has racked up a handful of national team call-ups and has tasted football outside Kenyan borders with Arba Minch of Ethiopia and is currently attached to Namungo of Tanzania.
His success in the domestic competition has been a source of motivation to many budding players with Mootian being one of them.
Kapaito has achieved a lot in the top league and remains a respected figure in our community. Every aspiring footballer in our community wants to be like him.
Leshan Mootian
When I joined Ulinzi, he was kind enough to advise me and I can dare say, his words have played a big part in being where I am today. He counseled me to be confident and work hard. I wouldn't mind achieving the things he has," Mootian told SportsBoom.com in a telephone interview.
Mootian, also credited league-winning tactician Benjamin Nyangweso and current Kenya Police head coach Anthony Kimani for helping him transition from fourth-tier football to becoming a star at Ulinzi.
"A lot of people were at hand to counsel me after I joined Ulinzi. I remain grateful to their kind words and support throughout," he added.
TREATING CALL UP LIKE KDF DEPLOYMENT
Having made it to the team that will board the plane to South Africa, Mootian says he will treat the two matches like a military deployment assignment.
Mootian, who has served in the military for seven years, said he will invoke the spirit of the Kenya Defence Forces and fight for the team's qualification to the AFCON to the best of his ability.
"I consider the opportunity to represent the country like a deployment assignment. I will invoke the spirit of the KDF in South Africa and fight for the country to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. The blessings from my commanders and love of the nation will compel me to give my best in the two matches," he said.
I HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR AFCON QUALIFICATION
Although Stars have slim chances of qualifying, the former St. Joseph's Youth, Nakuru player is far from losing hope. Mootian remains confident of helping the team win both matches and laying hands on the ticket to Morocco.
Winning the two matches will not be enough as the team will have to pray that Cameroon does them a favour by beating Zimbabwe. Besides that, the former Oserian player is certain that the team will make history by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The World Cup qualifiers will resume in March next year with Kenya taking on the Johnathan McKinstry-led Gambia and Gabon.
"I am sure I will get playing time and help the team secure the ticket to AFCON. I want to be remembered as the player who helped Kenya return to the AFCON. Most importantly, I hope to be part of the team that will make history by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup," he added.
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