Mike Origi


Michael Okoth Origi, commonly referred to as Mike Okoth, is a retired Kenyan footballer. Initially playing as a goalkeeper he converted to a striker at Shabana, a position that he would feature in for both club and country.
He spent most of his professional career in Belgium, while at international level he represented the Kenya national football team on 120 occasions between 1989 and 2004, scoring 28 goals. He is the father of Belgian international footballer, Divock Origi.

Club career

Okoth started his football career with Itierio Secondary School from where he was spotted by Shabana. He would feature for Shabana in the Kenyan Super League and at continental level in the African Champions Cup.
In 1992, he moved to Omani club Al Boshar and after the Africa Cup of Nations K.V. Oostende of the Belgian Second Division.
He would experience success with Racing Club Genk winning the 1998–99 Belgian First Division and the 1999-00 Belgian Cup.
Okoth would end his career in 2006 playing in the Belgian Third Division with K.S.K. Tongeren and later with :nl:Cobox 76|Cobox 76.

International career

Okoth earned his first international call up in the 1989 CECAFA Cup turning out for a Kenya 'B' team.
He would represent the Harambee Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990, 1992 and 2004.

Personal life

Okoth is of Luo ethnicity. His older brother Austin "Makamu" Oduor Origi was a defender and captain for Gor Mahia and the Kenya national football team. His younger brothers would also feature in the Kenya Super League, Anthony Origi for Kenya Breweries and Gerald Origi for Utalii FC.
Arnold Origi, his nephew and son to Austin Oduor is a goalkeeper for Norwegian Tippeligaen side Lillestrøm and the Kenya national team.
His son Divock Origi is one of Liverpool's most beloved footballers. He played for the Genk U-15 team and signed for Lille in May 2010. He scored on his debut for the Ligue 1 side against Troyes on 4 February 2013. He was selected to be part of the Belgium national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by former player and then manager Marc Wilmots, and became the youngest Belgian player ever to score at a World Cup finals when he scored in the 88th minute of a 1–0 win over Russia to secure a spot in the knock-out stage for the Red Devils. Divock is also a UEFA Champions League winner and scored in the final.