Blow for Nairobi City Stars as Japanese star is set to miss first leg of 2023-2024 FKF PL season

New Nairobi City Stars forward Yuto Kusaba will have to wait longer for his Football Kenya Federation Premier League debut after failing to beat the registration deadline.

City Stars caught many by surprise when the club unveiled the Japanese national two days ago on a deal that will keep him at the club up to the end of the 2023-2024 season.

The signing elicited reactions from people from all walks of life who seemingly expressed desire to catch the Asian on the pitch on match days.

The forward, who can also play as a winger, was expected to make his FKFPL bow on Sunday in City Stars' clash against Muhoroni Youth at the Kasarani Annex.

However, that will not happen as his registration failed, meaning the earliest he can feature for City Stars is in the second leg after registering in the mid-season transfer window.

The federation in a circular to clubs announced that the window for the registration of international players would close on Monday, August 21, a deadline that City Stars did not meet.

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City Stars Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir regretted that their efforts to complete the registration of the 22-year old were not in time.

“He was registered in the Japanese Football Association and thus the transfer had to be done through the Transfer Matching System and within the given timeline. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to complete it on time and therefore, he will have to wait up to the mid-season window,” he said.

Kusaba took to his X account to express disappointment after failing to secure clearance to feature in the FKFPL.

"I couldn't register in time, so I can't play in tomorrow's game... I can't wait for the next game," he wrote.

According to FIFA, the transfer of international players from one association to the other can only happen through their system and after the relevant documents are availed.

“Players registered at one association may only be registered at a new association once the latter has received an International Transfer Certificate (hereinafter: ITC) from the former association. The ITC shall be issued free of charge without any conditions or time limit. Any provisions to the contrary shall be null and void. The association issuing the ITC shall lodge a copy with FIFA,” reads a clause on the on FIFA portal on the Status and Transfer of Players.

Kusaba played for FC Eazy Akashi and FC Zenshin, a Division 2 Northern Zone club based in Kenya before joining Simba wa Nairobi.