Former True Talents of Africa player Kennedy Obanda signed for Northeast Texas College in the USA in September 2022. Obanda got the opportunity through our partners Sports Recruiting USA after impressing at all levels in the academy since joining in 2019.
Obanda has had a decent start to life in Texas football-wise, making a few appearances for the team both as a starter and from the bench. We caught up with our former captain to ask him about life in the USA and how he’s adapting to the new environment.
Q. Just over two months in the USA. What’s been your experience so far?
My experience in the USA so far has been very good. The people here are very friendly and that has made settling here easy for me. I’m loving it here.
Q. What has been the biggest culture shock so far?
The food here definitely is. There are a lot of fast-food joints here and plenty of junk food. I miss home-cooked meals. I’ve tried looking for African restaurants or restaurants that have African food but sadly I haven’t found one.
Q. What’s the weather like in Texas?
It got very hot and humid in the summer, and then changed drastically in the winter. It also rained a lot in the winter. We had a tornado a few weeks back and fortunately everyone was safe.
Q. What was your first training session like?
My first training was intense, the weather made it hard for me to train. I almost fainted. But I was told it’s normal for players to struggle in the first training sessions given the weather.
Q. What would you say is different in the way they play football in the USA compared to Kenya?
There is a more professional outlook to football here in the USA and the intensity is high. The game is mostly possession-based and less physical since most players here are very technically gifted.
Q. What’s a day in the life for you?
A day in the life for me would be:
Wake up: 7.00 am
Freshen up: 7.00 – 7.45 am
Breakfast: 7.45 am
Classes: 8.00 am – each class is 1 hour 30 minutes, and the number classes varies per day
Lunch: 11.00 – 1.00 pm
First training session: 2.30 – 4.30 pm
Dinner: 5.00 – 6.00 pm
Team bonding/study/assignments: 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm – We play board games, video games, ping pong, etc.
Gym session: 8:30 – 10.00 pm
Finish Assignments: 10.00 pm – 12 am
Sleep: 12:30 midnight
Q. What was the feeling like making your debut for your new team?
It was a home game. I still remember it to this day. I was nervous but the fans and my teammates were incredible in the way they supported me. We ended up winning 5-1.
Q. What’s the coach like, is he friendly, or no-nonsense? Or a little bit of both?
Our coach is friendly and at the same time no-nonsense. He is usually mad at us if we don’t play our hearts out or follow his tactics giving 100% in whatever we do. He is a very young coach, and this is his first season which means he is learning as well but he has good principles which are discipline and hard work.
Q. What’s been the most difficult part about moving to the USA?
I miss my family the most, my dad and my sister. Leaving my family behind is one of the hardest choices I’ve made, and I always think of them every day. I don’t let the time difference change anything and try as much to call them daily.
Q. How many nationalities do you have in your team?
We have around 8 different nationalities. Guys from Brazil, France, Mexico, Spain, Belgium, South Africa, Puerto Rico, and England.
Q. Have you found it easy to juggle football and your academics?
Balancing my football and academics has been easy for me. Education is really important, and the school gives you a good amount of time and support for you to excel and get your certificate. If your grades are low, you are not allowed to play so you have to balance both your education and football.
Q. What’s your living arrangement like?
I live within the school in a suite accommodation. There’s four of us and everyone has their own room. We share the two bathrooms among us; two players per bathroom.
Q. What’s your favorite thing about the USA so far?
The people here are very friendly and will help you at any time. Learning about different cultures as well has been very interesting to me especially learning the Mexican culture which is very broad and exciting.
