McDonald Mariga has opened up about the powerful spiritual influence of his late mother, Mildred Wanyama, and how her unwavering faith played a pivotal role in the successful football careers of both him and his younger brother, Victor Wanyama. Reflecting on their humble beginnings, Mariga described Mildred as a deeply God-fearing and prayerful woman whose devotion anchored their rise from grassroots football in Kenya to Europe’s elite leagues.
Before making his mark internationally, Mariga played locally for Tusker and Kenya Pipeline. But like many aspiring footballers, his early journey was filled with setbacks. “I was playing for a small team trying to get promoted to Division Two, and we used to lose a lot,” he recalled. At one point, he confronted his mother, asking her why her prayers never seemed to help them win. Her response left a lasting impression: “My prayers aren’t for the next game. I’m praying for your future.”
Those words, Mariga said, proved prophetic. In 2006, he moved to Sweden to begin his professional career. The transition was difficult—new climate, unfamiliar food, and life away from home. He admitted he was ready to give up and return home. But once again, his mother intervened by suggesting that his younger brother, Victor, who was not in school at the time, join him in Sweden. The presence of his brother gave him the motivation he needed to keep going.
Mariga’s European journey saw him play for clubs like Enkopings SK and Helsingborg IF before earning a move to Italy, where he joined Parma and eventually Inter Milan. His crowning moment came in 2010 when he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy with Inter under José Mourinho. His mother, he said, was there to witness it. “She reminded me of that prayer she made when I was still playing regional football,” Mariga shared. “She said, ‘I told you better days were coming.’”
Victor Wanyama’s career also flourished, with notable spells in Belgium and the English Premier League, including a Champions League final appearance with Tottenham. Though he didn’t win, their mother’s pride was boundless. She had dreamed big for both her sons and saw those dreams realized.
Mariga believes that while his mother is no longer with them, her legacy lives on. “She raised prayerful daughters, strong in faith. They’ll guide us now, and we’ll follow her example grounded in humility and service to God,” he said. Her spiritual strength and belief in their future became the compass that guided two brothers from Kenya to the pinnacle of global football.
