Gor Mahia midfielder Enock Wanyama has opened up about the challenges he faced during his time with Taiwan Premier League side Leopard Cat.
Speaking during an interview on the Tiki Taka Show, Wanyama revealed how a series of decisions by his former head coach left him feeling sidelined and undervalued, despite his contributions to the team’s success in the first leg of the season.
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“In the second leg, I felt like I was being sidelined,” Wanyama recalled. “Mariga (Nicodemus Onyango) and I had worked so hard during the first leg, helping our team secure a strong position at the top of the table. However, as the second leg began, I found myself playing less frequently.”
The turning point came when one of the coach’s favoured strikers started scoring, leading the coach to seemingly disregard Wanyama’s role in creating opportunities for the team. “It seemed the coach decided my contributions, particularly my assists, were no longer valuable,” Wanyama lamented. “That’s football and its unpredictable dynamics.”
Wanyama described a troubling environment where players who skipped training sessions were given starting roles, while he, who attended sessions diligently, was overlooked. “I felt suppressed and started questioning myself—how could I regain my place in the team?” he said.
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In frustration, Wanyama messaged the coach to ask why he wasn’t being given playing time despite his impressive stats, even pointing out the potential consequences for the team’s position on the table. However, he believes this was a turning point that further strained their relationship.
“Instead of responding directly, the coach reacted through his actions,” Wanyama revealed. “He began benching me or only bringing me on in the dying minutes of games. Worse still, he reportedly told my teammates not to support me on the pitch.”
Wanyama explained how the coach’s actions affected the team dynamic. “Football is a team sport, and while individual brilliance matters, collaboration is essential,” he said. However, his teammates were reportedly instructed not to create space or provide him with passing options during matches.
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The situation became so evident that even Enock Machaka, who was in Kenya at the time, noticed it and contacted Wanyama’s teammate Mariga to express concern. “This made me realize I wasn’t imagining things,” Wanyama said.
Despite the challenges, Wanyama expressed gratitude for his teammate Nicholas Mariga, who encouraged him to keep pushing and not give up. “Mariga pushed me and encouraged me not to lose hope. He didn’t want us to lose our position or miss the opportunity to play in the Asian Champions League,” Wanyama said.
However, the toxic environment at Leopard Cat ultimately forced Wanyama to leave. Reflecting on his experience, he described his time in Taiwan as unforgettable but marked by struggles that deeply impacted him both professionally and personally.
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