NAIROBI, September 22 – Thika midfielder Francis Kahata left the country on Monday for Ghana for a month long training stint with Liberty Professionals Football Academy. At the same time, negotiations are underway for the 17 year old form three student at Chania High school to join either Italy’s Udinese or NEC of Netherlands.
Thika United FC’s Secretary General Mike Muriuki said talks were at an advanced stage with both clubs who are interested in the starlet.
An excited Kahata described the chance to train Ghana as a once in a lifetime opportunity adding that the exposure will put him in good stead in his future plans.
“The sponsorship has opened doors for me to go out and play professional football,” said Kahata who also had a one month trial in Italy in 2007.
Thika United headcoach Abdallah Juma hailed the midfielder’s move saying it will do him a world of good.
“Kahata’s trip is good encouragement for upcoming talent because Liberty Professionals Football Academy has produced top players like Ghana’s Michael Essien who started his career there,” Juma said.
The trip has been facilitated by Brookside Dairy and its Marketing Manager, Peter Wesonga, said the sponsorship that will enable him sharpen his football skills abroad after being recruited by Thika United.
“Today we are here to send one of our players to Liberty Professionals Football Academy to strengthen his talent in soccer as we have had two football clubs one from Holland and the other from Italy show interest in him,” Wesonga stated.
Muriuki said the club’s objective was to develop upcoming youth adding that they had selected six talented players from the term two secondary school ball games.
“The vision of Thika United totally relies on youth and the skeleton of the club is 65% made by the youth from secondary school ball games, so we are very much proud of the sponsorship as the youth are future players of the country,” Muriuki observed.
Muriuki also announced that Thika United FC has selected six players to join them from the recently concluded Kenya Secondary Schools national Ball games concluded in Machakos.
The six are Joseph Kuria of Kabuyefwe Friends School, Clifton Miheso, Andrew Kulecho and Muemah Faustine Riziki of Kakamega High School, Michael Omondi Bodo of Thurgem and Fahim Elmoge of Wajir High School.
They will undergo trials with Thika United FC under the Brookside soccer scholarship with the best three getting a chance to join Thika United FC as regulars.
The club currently has four players, namely, Francis Chege, Stephen Waruru, John Irungu and Kahata, in the national under -17 team.
Other Kenyan players who have been at Liberty include Harambee Stars midfield duo of Jamal Mohammed and Parma midfielder Macdonald Mariga.
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