Arsenal Superstar Ozil Now Brands Entire Kenyan Herds Boy Team

18th April 2019

Lawrence Masira, the Kenyan nine year-old herds boy who became an online sensation when he caught the attention of midfield ace is at it yet again after his local side receives kit and boots from the German World Cup winner

Mesui Ozil of Arsenal during UEFA Europa League Quarter - Final 1st Leg between Arsenal and Napoli at Emirates stadium, London, United Kingdom on 11 Apr 2019. PHOTO/AFP
Mesui Ozil of Arsenal during UEFA Europa League Quarter - Final 1st Leg between Arsenal and Napoli at Emirates stadium, London, United Kingdom on 11 Apr 2019. PHOTO/AFP
SUMMARY
  • The German World Cup winner, who is with the Gunners in Napoli ahead of their Thursday night UEFA Europa League return quarterfinal leg, has sent more boots and branded Arsenal jerseys to the entire Masira’s local football team that has been since renamed, Ozil FC
  • Njiru saw that Masira had penned the name of his favourite star Ozil on the back of the tattered cheap replica and this pricked his interest, as he stopped to chat with the boy who was herding their livestock home through the streets of the Kenyan capital Nairobi
  • The youngster still harbours the hope of meeting his hero who has touched their community and transformed them to Gunners

NAIROBI, Kenya- Lawrence Masira, the Kenyan nine year-old herds boy who became an online sensation when he caught the attention of Arsenal FC superstar, Mesut Ozil, is at it yet again.

The German World Cup winner, who is with the Gunners in Napoli ahead of their Thursday night UEFA Europa League return quarterfinal leg, has sent more boots and branded Arsenal jerseys to the entire Masira’s local football team that has been since renamed, Ozil FC.

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“I have received many phone calls and he deserves what he and his teammates are getting from the Arsenal star,” Masira’s grandmother told Citizen TV in a story aired on Wednesday night.

Ozil who has rediscovered his form with the Gunners in their first season under Spanish head coach, Unai Emery, won the hearts of millions in the football mad country with his moving gesture, as he became a hot topic on social media.

Favourite star

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The stirring story began when a journalist and presenter, Eric Njiru who works for local radio station, Homeboyz FM, spotted nine year-old Lawrence Masira wearing a faded Arsenal shirt – his favourite English football team, on his way home on December 3 last year.

Njiru saw that Masira had penned the name of his favourite star Ozil on the back of the tattered cheap replica and this pricked his interest, as he stopped to chat with the boy who was herding their livestock home through the streets of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

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“After he sent the first stuff, I sent him the video and the photos of the two boys- Lawrence and his brother receiving the shirts. After a couple of days he reached to me again saying he would want to send more shirts and boots to the team he plays,” Njiru narrated.

The handover caused a stir at the tiny Naserian hamlet, a dusty village in Kajiado County that is 32.9km from Nairobi Central Business District.  

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“I thank him for the shirts and the boots he bought for me. The team says thank you. I can only say thank you,” Masira said.


“We are grateful because we used to play barefoot and may God bless him,” Masira’s teammate at the team formally known as Maasai FC quipped.

The youngster still harbours the hope of meeting his hero who has touched their community and transformed them to Gunners.

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