Free-agent Clifton Miheso reveals plans after parting ways with AFC Leopards

When Clifton Miheso quietly parted ways with AFC Leopards at the end of last season, many expected the experienced winger to quickly seal a move elsewhere.

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Instead, months later, the Kenya international remains a free agent but far from done. At 32, Miheso insists the fire still burns, the legs still move, and the dream is nowhere near its end.

Now training with a group of unattached players and holding active talks with several FKF Premier League clubs, the former AFC Leopards captain says his comeback is not just a possibility, it is imminent.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Miheso takes us through how he started his football career, where his story began in Thika’s Majengo area.

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“I started playing when I was really young,” he recalls. “We used to play street football, and I got a lot of inspiration from my uncles, who were playing top-flight football at the time. I also watched Thika United a lot.”

The club would later become his first professional home. But long before he made the senior team, Thika’s famous youth structure shaped him.

“Thika United had a huge academy with all age categories from under nine all the way to the senior team. I joined the under-13s and gradually moved up through the ranks,” he says.

After graduating from Kakamega High School, a football powerhouse, he signed his first professional contract with Thika United in 2011. Two years later, a move to Sofapaka followed, before his career took him across borders.

Miheso is among the few Kenyan players who have experienced professional football on two continents. His travels have taken him to Finland (2015) - Vaasan Palloseura, South Africa (2016) - Golden Arrows, Zambia (2017) - Buildcon FC and Portugal (2019) - Montijo.

“Outside Kenya, I’ve played in South Africa, Portugal, Finland, Zambia, and you cannot compare football here with those countries,” he explains.

Yet, he believes Kenyan football is improving, “We’re on the right path. The government has come in strongly, and if we fix infrastructure, we can catch up with countries like Uganda and Tanzania.”

He returned to Kenya in 2019, signing for Gor Mahia, where he spent two seasons before joining Kenya Police FC in 2022. In 2023, he moved to AFC Leopards, a club he still describes with emotion.

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“I really enjoyed playing for AFC Leopards. It’s still my club; I still support it. My contract ended, and I wanted a new challenge. That’s why I left,” he says.

The CECAFA Moment That Defined Him

Among his many career highlights, including 30 caps for Harambee Stars since 2012, one memory shines brightest: the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

That year, at only 20 years old, Miheso helped Kenya lift the trophy for the first time in over a decade.

“Winning CECAFA at 20 was a dream come true,” he says. “Those days, CECAFA was very competitive. We faced Tanzania’s top stars like Samatta Mbwana and Mrisho Ngasa. It was a big moment for me.”

For many free agents, motivation fades with time. But Miheso insists he is fitter and mentally stronger than ever.

“As a free agent, I’m very ready,” he says. “We have a team of unattached players who train together. We play friendlies, we keep each other sharp, we encourage each other.”

Several clubs approached him when he left AFC Leopards, but negotiations stalled. Those talks are now back on the table.

“Heading into January, I know I’ll be back in the Premier League,” he says confidently. “I still have the energy and a lot to offer.”

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Beyond the Pitch: Giving Back Through Football

Few players talk about community work with as much passion as Miheso. Away from the stadiums, he runs a football academy called Kick To Victory Soccer Academy next to Two Rivers Mall, with a branch on Kiambu Road at Ballmania.

He also operates the Goal Dream Africa Foundation in Babadogo, a project aimed at empowering children and youth through football and mentorship. For Miheso, giving back is not charity - it’s a responsibility.

Miheso is outspoken about what must change in local football. His concerns are rooted in experience, not theory. He believes that for Kenyan football to truly progress, three areas need urgent attention.

First is infrastructure, which he says directly affects both the quality of play and player welfare. “Look at the surfaces we play on. Most players finish matches with injuries. We need proper stadiums to be upgraded. Fans want to watch football in good environments,” he explains.

He also stresses the need to market the league better so that it becomes attractive to sponsors and partners. “We must package the league better so investors see value. Without investors, the game will not grow.”

But even strong infrastructure and marketing will not be enough without improved administration. Miheso points to issues such as delayed player salaries as evidence that more professionalism is needed.

“Some players leave clubs without being paid. That should never happen. Administration must be top-notch,” he insists.

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“We had challenges, even being suspended by FIFA, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Learning from Pain: Injuries, Criticism, and Faith

His career has not been without setbacks. Injuries have tested him more than anything else.

“When you have an injury, follow the doctor's advice to the letter. Keep hope alive,” he says.

To deal with criticism, Miheso relies on self-reflection and family support.

“I criticise myself first before anyone else does. I never seek validation. And my dad — he’s the one person who always talks to me and encourages me.”

As he plots his next move, Miheso remains grateful to those who have backed him for more than a decade.

“I want to thank my fans for always supporting me. There are still good things coming ahead,” he says.

To the youth dreaming of professional football, his message is simple: “Put God first, work hard, have faith, and stay disciplined. Talent is nothing without these.”

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The Comeback Is Loading

Miheso has played for top clubs, won regional titles, travelled the world, and represented his country 30 times. Many in his position would already be winding down, but not him.

He trains consistently, mentors young players, leads by example, and he believes deeply that his best football is still ahead.

As the January window approaches, his eyes are fixed firmly on one thing: a return to the FKF Premier League.

And if his determination is anything to go by, Miheso’s comeback may be one of the stories of the season.