M. KisengeJuma elated after making Harambee Stars debut
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 30.03.21. | 09:41
Nzoia Sugar defensive midfielder feels his debut will inspire more local players to muscle for places in the national team
Nzoia Sugar holding midfielder Kevin Juma believes his Harambee Stars debut will inspire more local based to fight for positions in the national team.
Juma was a surprise inclusion for the final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo and the preceding build-up matches against South Sudan and Tanzania.
Coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee was forced to try a number of options including Juma and KCB’s Michael Mutinda as he sought to fill in the gap left by the unavailable skipper Victor Wanyama.
The 25- year old who was unused substitutes in the two test matches and against Egypt finally made his bow when Stars humbled Togo on Monday in the final qualifier away in Lome, coming in for Clifton Miheso in the second half.
Juma who made his Premier League debut three years ago said he never envisaged a national team call-up owing to the stiff competition in the department and the fact that he is attached to the sugar millers who have in the past seasons been battling to keep their top-flight status.
Growth
— Footballers Of Our Time (@TransferMarktEA) March 13, 2021
Kevin Juma shows up for his first season at @nzoiasugarfc2 in 2018, at the time deemed a replacement for Lawrence Juma who left the club for Gor Mahia.
It's three years now, and both Juma's are in the current @harambee__stars squad.#footke pic.twitter.com/akkitV88pO
He is however persuaded that his two-week stay at the camp and the subsequent debut against Togo will not only motivate him to work harder in a bid to keep his place in the team but energize other local players to fight for places in the team.
“I never saw the call up coming at all but when I was summoned, I went to the camp with the aim of proving myself at the big stage. I am glad the wait for my debut is over. I hope the minutes I amassed will instill the belief in more local players in their search for call-ups," he said after the match.
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