Timbe finally trains with new club

Harambee Stars international Ayub Timbe finally made his long awaited appearance for his new Japanese side Vissel Kobe as he took part in the team’s training session for the first time today.

Since being officially confirmed by the club on March 1 as a Kobe player, Timbe has never featured for Kobe largely due to Japan’s airspace being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic at first. After overcoming that first hurdle, Timbe was forced to enter into a bio bubble where he spent two weeks as a covid-19 precautionary measure after arriving in Japan from Belgium.

This past Sunday, 11 April, Timbe was then presented to the Kobe fans before their 1-1 draw against Shimizu S-Pulse after completing his quarantine period.

Today, April 14, the former Reading FC winger finally took part in his first ever training session with his new club. In a video posted by the club, Timbe emerged from the changing room wearing a mask and made a joke to show just long he had been out of action.

“Am I going to train with this,” he joked before removing his mask and taking a ball.

The speedy winger looked in good spirits as he smiled during the training drills with his teammates. After completing the session, Timbe expressed his delight at finally being able to join the rest.

“It was good. I was excited to be on the training. It has been a while, it feels good to be with the team and meet the players, the coach and to participate as we prepare for the next coming days,” he said.

Timbe will be hoping to take part in Kobe’s next league fixture that takes place this Saturday, April 17, against Shonan Bellmare. Kobe are currently in third place on the log on 18 points.