The Origi Magic: Like Father Mike, Liverpool’s Divock Stars In Epic Comeback
8th May 2019
Belgium forward’s brace against FC Barcelona echoes the stirring showing of his dad in 1997 when Harambee Stars came from behind to stun Burkina Faso
- Seven minutes into the contest, Belgian forward, Divock Origi scored the opener and what followed will rank as one of the greatest comebacks in football history
- The Belgian’s brilliant showing after he got a starting role upfront alongside Sadio Mane in place of Egypt superstar, Mo Salah, echoed another famous performance by another Origi 12 years prior
- His father, 51, still resides in Belgium and plays a key role in the development of the son who on a magical Tuesday night, showed the same stamina, determination, skill and deadly finishing in front of goal associated with the elder in his heyday
NAIROBI, Kenya- Like father, like son, so the saying goes and on Tuesday night, one of the most glaring mirror examples of the old adage manifested itself at the famous Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England.
In summary, home side Liverpool FC needed to overturn a 0-3 deficit from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final to Spanish giants, FC Barcelona to harbour any hopes of making the June 1 final in Madrid.
Seven minutes into the contest, Belgian forward, Divock Origi scored the opener and what followed will rank as one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
Shortly after half-time, Dutch midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum who came on as a substitute netted a brace to level the tie before Origi sealed victory after catching Barcelona cold from a quick Alexander-Arnold corner 11 minutes from time.
The Belgian’s brilliant showing after he got a starting role upfront alongside Sadio Mane in place of Egypt superstar, Mo Salah, echoed another famous performance by another Origi 12 years prior.
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Michael Origi Okoth, Divock’s father who was based in Belgium at the time played a sensational role for his national team Harambee Stars when he netted a hat-trick against Burkina Faso to transform a 1-3 deficit into a 4-3 victory.
On April 6, 1997 Kenya hosted the Stallions at MISC Kasarani in a 1998 FIFA World Cup Group 1 qualifier in Nairobi.
Stars had been thrown into the deep end, sharing the same pool with Nigeria who had famously won Olympics gold in Atlanta 1996, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
After losing 3-1 in their opening game in Conakry, Kenya needed a result against the Stallions who came to Nairobi on the back of a 0-2 beating in Lagos to the Super Eagles to harbour any hopes of making the World Cup for the first time ever.
Soon, home supporters were stunned when Mamadou Zongo opened the scoring for the Burkinabes in the 12th minute before against the run of play, Firmin Sanou made it 0-2 to the visitors in the 42nd.
Grand stand finish
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The elder Origi, who was then playing for KRC Harelbeke in Belgium, halved the deficit in the 55th before the dangerous Zongo broke the hearts of the nation when he put the Stallions 1-3 ahead in the 70th or so it seemed.
However, just like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, Stars under the late maverick German tactician, Reinhardt Fabisch refused to drop their heads with Origi making it 2-3 in the 75th to set a grand stand finish.
Home supporters erupted in the 85th when Origi assisted Francis Were to level matters before the striker sent Kenyans into delirium two minutes later when he completed the most famous treble in the country’s history to win the pulsating game 3-4.
Kenya beat Guinea 1-0 in their next match before a 0-3 defeat to Nigeria in Lagos on June 7, 1997 in a match where then goalkeeper Francis Onyiso infamously conceded a goal scored by Sunday Oliseh from the half way line in the 13th minute ended their France 98 hopes.
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Despite the end of a dream, Origi’s hat trick against Burkina Faso lingers long in the memory of local football fans from that era and it brought a nostalgic feeling for those who watched the Liverpool versus Barca game at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for Stars, the younger Origi opted to declare for Belgium, a country he was brought up and started learning his trade before he signed for Liverpool after starring for his adopted nation at the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
But just like his father cemented his place in Stars history in 1997, the son has also sealed his place in Liverpool folklore following his brace against the Catalan giants.
Earlier in the season, Origi junior endeared himself to the Anfield faithful when he scored a 94th minute winner in front of the famous Kop to settle the Merseyside derby against Everton FC 1-0.
His father, 51, still resides in Belgium and plays a key role in the development of the son who on a magical Tuesday night, showed the same stamina, determination, skill and deadly finishing in front of goal associated with the elder in his heyday.
Divock's cousin, Arnold Origi who has played most of his career in Norway was the first choice keeper for Stars for almost a decade before it was announced on August 23, 2017 that he had acquired the citizenship of his adopted nordic country.
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