Mathews ‘Ottamax’ Owino, once celebrated as one of Kenya’s finest goalkeepers, has revealed the harsh realities he has faced since retiring from professional football. From a celebrated career guarding the posts for top clubs like Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and Uganda’s SC Villa, Owino now finds himself navigating a difficult life marked by unemployment, financial hardship, and personal challenges.
Owino’s story is a poignant reflection of the difficulties many athletes face once the cheers of the crowd have faded. The man who once stood tall between the posts for the Harambee Stars now lives modestly in a Nairobi hotel, struggling to regain his footing after years of hardship.
He candidly shared the emotional toll his post-retirement life has taken on him, describing long periods of despair and loneliness. “Sometimes I feel like opening up, but I resort to crying it out when I’m alone! Things have not been looking up for the last 18 months or even longer!” he admitted, underscoring the silent battles many retired athletes endure.
Despite having served not only as a player but also as a goalkeeper trainer for teams such as Gor Mahia and Nakumatt FC, Owino has faced prolonged periods without stable employment. The impact of this instability has been profound, leading to the loss of his belongings twice due to rent arrears and forcing him to rely on goodwill and occasional jobs to survive.
Adding to his struggles was a separation from his wife in 2018. The breakup was a mutual decision, but Owino revealed how deeply it affected him, especially as he was unable to provide for his family during a time of financial insecurity. “I was really affected and would drink heavily until I black out,” he confessed, revealing the emotional pain and coping mechanisms he resorted to during those dark times.
Looking back at his career, Owino reflects on some of the factors that contributed to his downfall. He acknowledges that ego and poor decisions during his playing days played a role. Once dropped from the national team by coach Reinhard Fabisch in 1997, he believes his extroverted nature and confidence sometimes created friction. “I think stardom crept into my head… I was an extrovert, that bold outgoing player… it never went well with some people,” he admitted.
One of the brightest chapters after his football career was Owino’s venture into business. He co-owned a popular sports bar in Westlands called Forty 40, which initially flourished and brought him financial satisfaction that eluded him during his playing years. “The business was quite lucrative. I was getting good money which I never got while playing football. I found happiness there,” he recalled. Unfortunately, when they decided to build their own premises to reduce rent costs, the financial strain caused the business to collapse.
Despite these setbacks, Owino remains hopeful. He is in the final stages of securing a job with a Spanish football academy based in Karen, Nairobi. More importantly, he has launched a mentorship initiative called The Next Gifted Hands, aimed at training young goalkeepers free of charge. Through this program, he hopes to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation, helping them avoid the pitfalls he faced.
“I want to do something of my own, something that will benefit the kids. I know the advantages of being a good goalkeeper so I thought what if these kids are brought up the right way,” he said with optimism.
Owino is also in the process of documenting his life journey in a book titled Beneath the Bright Light: The Untamed Life, where he hopes to inspire others by sharing both the highs and lows of his career and life after football.
His story is a powerful reminder of the fragility of sports careers and the importance of planning for life beyond the game. Owino’s honesty about his struggles, coupled with his determination to give back, highlights the resilience that defines many athletes long after they hang up their boots.
