I have debated how I would have titled this article. The arch angel, the Mike of our times, gonya, thee Wokorach, champion, the 13.
All this but one thing is undeniable, his impact and also cultural dynamism. Moreover no one is more qualified to tell the rugby story of Goonya like I am.
I do understand where he is coming from. For the last week, my phone has lit up with one name WOKOS and I can gladly tell you, I wasn’t happy to pick that call.
A brutal stand off ensured, tempers were flared, words were said but in all 20 years of companionship were all out on the line behind the scenes. I can’t tell you how relieved I was at the end of Saturday.
That is who Wokos is, diligent, disciplined and willing to hold you to account for your actions. That has been the story of the man who has kept a hairline so clean and firm, it compensates for a face so brutal and weather beaten it can’t be recognized from long ago when we were teenagers.
Ours was the ugliest rugby team ever assembled but the future was rightly ours. The team that flattered and never delivered. Coming up in the shadows as understudies to the great 2007 CAR champions was tough act.
Michael wasn’t a first pick for the team that year, coming from St.Lawrence Creamland campus, in pecking order Kabazzi (now Dr), Kalyango, Kimuli, Barasa, Lubega, Lubanga (Opa) were sure picks for the midfield. I was sitted with him at the sides of baby cranes training that season.
When I met him that holiday season, he pointed out that he made it by sheer consistency. Fun fact then he always had a small comb in his afro modelled after “Cool joe”.
His insistence of playing only the outside centre was also a nonnegotiable for a man who had picked up the game that late in life. He was about to go on an adventure of a lifetime.
In vacation, Micheal was chosen to go straight up to the buffaloes, missing what we thought was the mandatory stint in the Saracens, which I ably captained and got the front seat to watch the take-off of even higher patched birds to fly.
He never lasted long in that place; he was a full Heathen. That is a team whose midfield featured Evans, Mark Olweny, Jason. He was never shy of the responsibility. He wanted it, he craved it. Lanky tall and what most people will never believe SHY.
I met him against Nkumba where he was studying Procurement, it was always a shock to lose to him at that level. I remember one final in Ndejje 2011 University games where he ganged up with Preston to give me what I remember as the tackle of my life.
In honour of my too many words. I got the medal and a very silent Christmas with a chest of mending ribs. I also run a bet that because we were similar in height I would never miss a tackle against him.
I hated his physicality because my work ethic in the weight room was nonexistent.
If Micheal hated anything it was losing to Kobs and Kenya in no particular order.
I remember at a time he had to face Oscar, I gave him the obvious weakness, Kalyango can’t tackle a straight runner, don’t run the outside line an take the step in, face him head on.
I approached the other side with one tip wait for Micheal to take the step in then flay your hands. I proceeded to watch them tear each other up.
The bigger challenge was that Ambunya bollocking run in the middle, with Oscar and him forced into the most uncomfortable midfield pairing I had to endure watching.
The solution was simple, make Marvin patrol their channel somehow relieving both of them of defensive duties.
The greatest success of Wokos his ability to adapt to a new environment and generation. His rise to the national team was unprompted by unforeseen events like Kobs golden generation suddenly losing interest in rugby. His stay is totally discipline.
He got onto the set up in the worst of times when the whole set up was struggling for relevance and were even flirting with the third tier of African rugby. He played with Matthias Ochwo and Alex Aturinda wow.
For the sevens, the untold story is before the first ever championship, we had been good enough to win the plate and well a few glimpses of what a sleeping giant we are.
We always used a loophole to get into the Commonwealth games. Until the sweep in Nyayo. Wokos also got his dream come true beating the Kenyan sevens team at home.
In punishment I received a 2 hour phone call in good spirits. The other time is beating everyone at the Swamp. That felt special. I can’t forget carrying the man like he was a child.
Many won’t know this, it is because of Michael that all those European commentators are forced to pronounce our names correctly. He actually wrote an official protest note to world rugby media.
Another good habit as Captain was sending a thank you note to hosts and sponsors including the Government of Uganda. I mean he was Captain of Team Uganda at the Commonwealth games in Birmingham.
I can’t recall the whole story but it keeps coming back in bits some memories have me tearing others laughing like that one time as Rebel designate of the Union, I spent time on the phone with the co captains who were unhappy with the treatment of players by the Union.
They were so shocked when I backed the Union and took a firm stand. I always felt honoured that even as a banished person my opinion mattered a lot for them to seek it.
In finality as an act of disservice I misspelt his name as Wakorach, an oversight on my side and a great irritation to him because of all people I should be the one who knows the journey we have travelled to get here, a Luo man at that. I will miss him playing and the predictability of what he could do.
I am so happy that now we can do more work off the pitch as we always hoped to do for the game they play in heaven.
TUKUBIRA KU FRONTLINE.
