Lifeline for Kenyan Stars Stanley Wilson and Henry Meja as Swedish Club Appoints Highly-Rated Ex-Orlando Pirates Coach

Harambee Stars players Stanley Wilson and Henry Meja may be about to get a new lease of life in Sweden after their club AIK appointed a new coach.

The 12-time Swedish champions have unveiled highly-rated Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, who enjoyed success with South African giants Orlando Pirates, before he left for an ill-fated spell with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Riveiro worked at Pirates from July 2022 to May 2025, leaving after guiding them to five trophies while making them title challengers, having picked up a team that was struggling in the midtable.

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He jumped at the chance to coach Al Ahly but he lasted a little over three months before he was sacked after just seven games in charge last September.

After bidding his time, Riveiro, who was linked with top jobs in South Africa like Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana, has now started a new adventure in Sweden, returning to Scandinavia, having previously worked in Finland.

Riveiro might be the coach that gives Wilson and Meja a career lifeline as he is known for giving young players a chance and turning them into superstars like he did at Pirates with the likes of Mohau Nkota, now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq, Mbekeseli Mbokazi, who has signed for Chicago Fire in the MLS, and Relebohile Mofokeng, considered South Africa’s best young player.

The two Kenyan stars have struggled for opportunities at AIK, Wilson, making just three appearances for the club since signing from Kariobangi Sharks in September 2024, and returned from his loan at Enkoping SK last November, where he played nine matches.

Meanwhile, Meja, who was signed by AIK from Tusker FC in 2022, has spent most of his time out on loan, first at Norrby IF, and then AFC Eskilstuna, where he stayed from 2024 until November 2025, when the deal ended.

It remains to be seen if the two Kenyan players will be given a chance by Riveiro who will be keen to get everyone on board at the Swedish club.