Philip Opiyo (born 27 February 1979) is a former footballer who played professionally in South Africa and represented the Kenya national football team.

Philip Opiyo
Personal information
Full name Philip Opiyo Wire
Date of birth (1979-02-27) 27 February 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Kenya
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Mathare United
2003 Tusker
2003–2004 Free State Stars
2004–2005 Umtata Bush Bucks
2007–2008 Sofapaka
2008–2011 Bandari
International career
2001–2004 Kenya
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Opiyo made his Kenyan Premier League debut playing as a central defender for Mathare United in 1999. He played for Mathare United until 2003, finishing runner-up in the league's player of the year voting in 2001.[1]

After a brief spell with Tusker in 2003, Opiyo moved to South Africa to sign with Premier Soccer League side Free State Stars. The following season he joined Umtata Bush Bucks, but he was suspended by the league following a failed drugs test in February 2005.[2]

Opiyo returned to Kenya where he begin playing club football again with Sofapaka in 2007. A year later, he joined Bandari, where he would play until retiring.[3]

Opiyo has made several appearances for Kenya, playing in the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals[4] and four 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Juma wins Kenya's top football award". PANA Press. 6 December 2001.
  2. ^ "Kenya sanctions Opiyo". BBC Sport. 21 February 2005.
  3. ^ "Opiyo returns to bolster Bandari". Futaa. 15 June 2011.
  4. ^ Courtney, Barrie; Díaz Rubio, Julián; Saaid, Hamdan; Stokkermans, Karel & Tabeira Martín (15 December 2006). "African Nations Cup 2004". RSSSF.
  5. ^ Philip OpiyoFIFA competition record (archived)
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