After Hima Cement Heathens were crowned league champions last Saturday, team captain Romano Ogwal heaped praise on the young crop of players that made it happen.
However, none was as deserving of praise as Aaron Ofoyrwoth. Playing in a scrum-half (number nine) position, historically occupied by senior players Faisal Gama and Brian Kikawa, Ofoyrwoth was never expected to get as much playing time.
But he did, to the surprise of many. “It was all about training hard,” the 19-year-old Ofoyrwoth said in the wake of Heathens winning their thirteenth league title.
And Ofoyrwoth was never a hanger-on. He influenced proceedings for Heathens once he cemented his place in the half-back position, pushing Kikawa onto the wing.
While Gama had to settle for a place on the bench. He came on at times when Ofoyrwoth needed a breather. In fact his teammate Michael Wokorach believes Ofoyrwoth has been the season’s revelation.
Wokorach added: “Ofoyrwoth is really talented. He makes rugby look simple.” Now, that is some vote of confidence.
One can only wonder the kind of player he will be five years from now. Wokorach believes Ofoyrwoth can only get better and also improve those around him. A product of the Tag Rugby Trust, a programme that introduces youngsters to rugby, Ofoyrwoth got the basics of the game at a tender age. He started out at Stallions rugby club in the lower division, before joining the Heathens in 2015.
It was his game reading and ability to dictate the tempo of the game, that made things a lot easier for Mohammed Athiyo’s Heathens. And because of his heroics, Ofoyrwoth caught the eye of the national team committee.
He was summoned among the 59 players to prepare for the Rugby Cranes busy schedule that starts June. But the former Kololo SS student will not get carried away just yet. His vision is to be the best scrum-half for the national team in the next five years.
However, Ofoyrwoth may have to live his dream before time. Following the failure of the rugby Cranes’ first choice number nines, Kevin Makmot and Davis Kiwalabye to honour recent call-ups, Ofoyrwoth is likely to be needed earlier than he would have anticipated.
That is not to say that he will find the other number nines, Conrad Wanyama, Paul Epilo and Brian Kikawa, easy to upstage, considering their experience.
But Ofoyrwoth, who is born to John Olenga and Mary Aidah, has already done the inconceivable of being a mainstay in Heathens. One would be damned to bet against him continuing in his splendid form, and end up upsetting the order, to make the national team number nine position his too.
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