Henry Atola Explained

Henry Atola
Fullname:Henry Atola Meja
Birth Date:21 December 2001
Birth Place:Kakamega, Kenya
Position:Centre-forward
Currentclub:AFC Eskilstuna
(on loan from AIK)
Clubnumber:20
Years1:2020–2021
Clubs1:Tusker
Caps1:9
Goals1:11
Years2:2022–
Clubs2:AIK
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Norrby IF (loan)
Caps3:13
Goals3:4
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:AFC Eskilstuna (loan)
Caps4:13
Goals4:3
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Kenya
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalteam-Update:18 July 2023
Club-Update:1 August 2024

Henry Atola Meja (born 21 December 2001) is a Kenyan footballer who plays for AFC Eskilstuna, on loan from AIK, and the Kenyan national team.

Club career

Meja came up through the ranks of Green Commandos SC of the National Super League. With Lihrembe Arsenal FC he won the 2018 and 2019 Cleophas Malala Super Cup, winning the Golden Boot Award in both editions of the tournament.[1] In January 2020 he signed a three-year contract with Tusker F.C. of the Kenya Premier League. He spurned interest from AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz for the promise of top-flight minutes and so that he could play with his brother Sammy.[2] He scored his first goal for the club on 13 December 2020 against Gor Mahia. He came off the bench to score the game-winning goal of the 2–1 victory.[3] He was named the Premier League and Tusker's Player of the Month for January 2021 after tallying four goals and an assist for the month.[4] [5] In March 2021 it was reported by local media that Meja's progress was being tracked by Zamalek of the Egyptian Premier League and Tanzanian club Simba.[6]

In September 2021 Swedish top-tier club AIK communicated that they had signed Meja on a five-year deal and that he would join the club for the pre-season in January 2022.[7] Meja’s official arrival at AIK was announced in January 2022 at the opening of the transfer window.[8] The player's contract was set to run through 1 September 2026.[9]

In January 2023 Melo was loaned out to Norrby IF for the 2023 season.[9]

In March 2024, Meja joined AFC Eskilstuna on loan for the 2024 season.[10]

International career

In October 2020 Meja was named to kenya's provisional squad for the 2020 CECAFA U-20 Championship.[11] He was called-up to the senior national team for the first time in February 2021.[12] [5] He made his senior international debut on 13 March 2021 in a friendly against Sudan.[13] Later that year, he was named to the Kenya U23 team for the 2021 CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup in Ethiopia.[14]

International career statistics

[13]

Kenya national team
YearAppsGoals
202150
Total50

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kisenge . Meshack . The youngster Meja could offer solutions to Tusker's woes . The Star . 17 July 2021.
  2. Web site: Luchetu . Calistus . Why Meja turned down top clubs to join Tusker . The Star . 17 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Chepsikor . Charles . Tusker’s Teenage Striker Henry Meja Announces Himself to the Big Stage . sportsplugke.co.ke . 17 July 2021 . 8 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108091854/https://www.sportsplugke.co.ke/soccer/tuskers-teenage-striker-henry-meja-announces-himself-to-the-big-stage/ . dead .
  4. Web site: Eshitemi . Rodgers . Onyango . Jonah . Tusker FC teenage sensation Henry Meja wins Best Player of the Month award . Standard Media . 17 July 2021.
  5. Web site: Sang . Kiplagat . Henry Meja: Newly summoned Harambee Star named Tusker's best January player . Goal . 17 July 2021.
  6. Web site: Ochieng . Stephen . Henry Meja - the Kenyan Rashford . Mozzart Sport Kenya . 17 July 2021.
  7. Web site: Henry Atola Meja klar för AIK Fotboll. 2021-11-11. AIK Fotboll. sv.
  8. Web site: Henry "Meja" Atola på plats i Sverige. 2022-01-06. AIK Fotboll. sv.
  9. Web site: Billengren . Ludwig . Officiellt: AIK lånar ut Atola . Fotboll Skanalen . 31 January 2023 . Swedish.
  10. Web site: AFC lånar Henry Atola Meja från AIK. AFC loan Henry Atola Meja from AIK. Swedish. www.afc-eskilstuna.se. 18 March 2024. 19 March 2024.
  11. Web site: CECAFA U20 CHAMPIONSHIP : KENYANAME PROVISIONAL RISING STARS SQUAD . Africa Top Sports . 17 July 2021.
  12. Web site: Sang . Kiplagat . Hopeful Meja reveals ambition to become regular Harambee Star after maiden call-up . Goal . 17 July 2021.
  13. Web site: NFT profile . National Football Teams . 17 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Sang . Kiplagat . Cecafa U23 Championship: Okumbi includes returning Gor Mahia's Omala, Tusker's Meja in Kenya squad . MSN . 17 July 2021.