I am now called Mohammed Sadan. I am no longer Bob Mugalia - Converted former Sofapaka star who wanted to play for Gor Mahia

You were awarded Kenyan citizenship, but many say you didn’t deserve it. What’s your take on that?

I felt I deserved the citizenship. But I was short-changed by the national team management who failed to process my passport. I made 15 appearances for Harambee Stars and played more than 70 minutes in each match. But with no documentation to show that I am Kenyan, I was still considered a refugee. What I can say is that people are entitled to their opinions.

Do you regret changing your nationality?

It’s a 50-50 situation, but I have no regrets at all. I came to the limelight after playing for Kenya. However, I know I would have been invited to play for Congo as well.

But your performance at Tusker was not really great. What happened? 

I suffered an ankle injury just two weeks after joining Tusker. I ended up being sidelined for two months. My recovery took time.

Do you drink?

I used to occasionally to celebrate scoring a goal, or victory by my team. I was very young when I first tasted alcohol. But I have since quit drinking after converting to Islam in 2013.

Is it true that alcohol and drugs took a toll on you  when you were loaned to Tusker?

I was stressed by family issues at the time and I avoided many people. Nobody understood what I was going through and my situation was misinterpreted. In fact, I had stopped drinking by the time I joined Tusker.

Now that you are Muslim, what’s your name?

I am now called Mohammed Sadan. I am no longer Bob Mugalia.

You have been described as a stylish player and quite a hit with female fans. Is this true?

Most of my fans are women. It’s because they love my style of play, dressing and hair. But I am a principled man who knows when and where to draw the line. I know how to handle them.

But you have been spotted with different women several times at different entertainment joints?

I dated two girls at some point, but they never at any one time fought over me. Because of the stress that came with that, I decided to settle on one.

So, are you in a relationship? Who’s the lucky woman?

Yes I am. Her name is Janet Mumbe and we live together with our two-year-old son.

Do you love Congolese rhumba?

I love rhumba because it is a cultural thing for us. All schools in my country have a three-hour music lesson daily. That’s why most Congolese are artistes.

There are claims you were once robbed in Kenya...

I have been robbed twice - in 2011 and 2012. The thugs broke into my house and stole my property. My hand was fractured during one incident and I thank God that I am still alive.

Is it true that you conned Ushuru?

That’s a big lie. I trained with Ushuru for three weeks and noticed that I had been exempted from the signing fees list. I think the club took advantage of my humbleness. There’s a time we had a salary delay, but the club only paid old players. New players did get any thing since they had already been paid the signing fee. I was however not aware of these payments.

So you did not receive money after signing a two-year deal with the club as reported in a section of the media?

It’s true I had already penned a two-year deal, but I had not submitted some documents. I got bereaved just after joining the club, and sought financial help from the club since I had already used part of my money to pay rent. The club refused to help me, so I left because of these frustrations.

Sofapaka valued you at Sh10 million in 2011 and you almost joined Gor?

I wanted to move to Gor, but my boss had organised trials for me in South Africa. He later explained why he had reservations about my transfer to  K’Ogalo and I understood him. Gor was my favourite club and my dream was to don the green shirt, even if just for a month.

Is it true you impersonated AFC Leopards’ captain Martin Imbalambala?

I was shocked to learn that somebody was using my name to fleece money from a fellow player. That is the last thing I would do. It is a police case under investigation. I cannot comment further on it.

What next for you?

I have taken a few months’ sabbatical, but I am still active in football. I hope to join a KPL club in mid-season.