Mohammed Bajaber: How little-known academy shaped the career of Harambee Stars sensation

Mohammed Bajaber has been thrust into the spotlight since his starring role for Harambee Stars last month but how was his remarkable talent discovered and nurtured?

Mohammed Bajaber is among the players who came away from last month’s international break with much credit following his starring role for Harambee Stars.

Bajaber endeared himself to Kenyan fans with a cracking goal against The Gambia as Benni McCarthy’s men drew 3-3 away in Abidjan and it earned him a slot in the starting XI in the next match against Gabon.

Even though Kenya lost the match 2-1, Bajaber still put in an impressive display and since then, he has commanded a lot of attention.

The Kenya Police forward translated that form to his club, scoring the only goal as the law enforcers beat Posta Rangers 1-0 last weekend to stay top of the FKF Premier League table.

However, few know how it all started for the 22-year-old Kenyan sensation.

When & where was Mohammed Bajaber discovered?

Nicknamed Hamudi, Mohammed Bajaber honed his football skills at little-known Star Field Elite Academy based in Parklands, Nairobi.

The attacking midfielder joined the academy when he was 14, having been spotted by one of the academy’s partners who was wowed by his immense talents as he played for Premier Academy.

“He came and we saw this was a player who had some qualities and then we developed his career further, giving him exposure through club tournaments, working on his skills, sharpening it and giving direction while making him believe that he is good enough to play in the Kenyan Premier League, national team and eventually make a profession out of his football,” Star Field Elite Academy director Robert Muthomi tells Pulse Sports.

Muthomi says the player’s qualities saw the academy test him in various attacking roles before they found the best position for him.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.

“He was always an attacking player although in different age groups, he played in different positions. He could be deployed as an out-and-out striker early in his career but he ended up specialising as a player who plays behind the striker as a No.10,” he goes on.

“That is where he played for us until he went to City Stars where he was played in different positions, including both flanks.”

Under the watchful eye of Muthomi and another academy coach and director Veer Dave, Star Field Elite Academy took special interest in young Mohammed Bajaber as well as the other high-level players at their disposal, developing his talent but also ensuring that he remained disciplined and humble.

How Mohammed Bajaber ended up at City Stars

After four years, the academy felt Bajaber was ripe to make the next step and used their football connections to find a suitable club that would harness his raw talent.

“I took him on trials at Nairobi City Stars. I spoke to the management and the coach, at that time Nicholas Muyoti,” Muthomi further says.

“It was out of my relationship with both the CEO of City Stars and coach Muyoti. I needed a coach who trusted young talents and seeing that this was a player coming out of an academy not a club in the league.

“I needed a coach who believed in young talent and I have known Nicholas Muyoti for a long time and I knew that only does he believe in young talent, but he is able to give them the responsibility to play and I think it was a good decision.”

Bajaber spent six weeks on trials at City Stars under the watchful eye of former coach Nicholas Muyoti and in February 2022, Simba wa Nairobi were convinced that they had a great talent on their hands and singed him.

“Bajaber came to us for training a few weeks back and it never took long for his unique qualities to come to light,” Muyoti said of the then 18-year-old as per the City Stars website.

“Though young, he has already shown good professionalism and character as evidenced by how he has already blended in well with the rest of the squad. We now expect him to translate what we have seen on the pitch to the Premier League platform.”

Bajaber was signed initially on loan for the second part of the 2021-22 season and at the end of the campaign, City Stars extended his loan deal for a year before signing him permanently in 2024.

It is after his permanent signing that many followers of the FKF Premier League took notice of the player although he had to bid his time before nailing down a starting place.

Mohammed Bajaber’s big-money move to Police

When he got his chance, he grabbed it with both hands, creating goals for his team-mates while also scoring them, and he did not last long at the Kawangware-based club before Kenya Police came calling.

The law enforcers are reported to have signed Bajaber for Ksh1 million and he is already repaying that sum with four goals in five matches since joining them in February 2025.

“Mohammed has good support from his family and then also, I believe the coach at City Stars was able to give him an opportunity,” Muthomi says of what has contributed to the 22-year-old’s meteoric rise.

Still just 22, Bajaber is now having to quickly learn how to handle fame as he continues to develop his career. Muthomi is, however, not worried that his protégé will be distracted by his new celebrity status.

“He is a very humble boy, very good head on his shoulders, feet on the ground,” says the former Football Kenya Federation CEO.

“You saw him leave Harambee Stars and go directly to his club and score a goal to get them the three points in the league and he knows he must keep working hard every day.”

With Kenya Police in a tight battle for the league title, it looks like Bajaber will play a key role, while coach Benni McCarthy will be counting on him for the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament that kicks off in August.