Wycliffe Kasaya has no regrets for ditching Leopards

When goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya made the move to join Nakumatt during the mid-season transfer, many castigated his decision.

Nakumatt are taking part in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League, while Kasaya has picked plenty of experience playing for top tier sides Sony Sugar, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

Six months down the line, Kasaya insists he has no regrets for making the move.

“It has been wonderful being at Nakumatt even though we have not qualified for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL). I am happy the club has done everything to meet our needs as players,” he said.

Kasaya is among the top players, who ditched the financially stricken AFC Leopards in the middle of the season, after they had gone for more than three months without being paid.

“It was a tough life at Leopards and it reached a point where I had to make a decision in regard to my future. I expect even better things when we finally qualify for the top league,” he said.

He revealed that player motivation remains a key element at Nakumatt.

“We are taken good care of and no one can complain. The management at Nakumatt has shown how a top team needs to be run,” said the goalkeeper.

While Nakumatt may have missed out on top flight football next season, the team still has a chance to win silverware when they face Gor Mahia in the semi-final of the GOtv shield.

Nakumatt beat Sony Sugar on post-match penalties to make it to the last four for the first time in their history. The winner of the GOtv shield will represent the country in next year’s Confederations Cup tournament.

Elsewhere, Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano says he is disappointed with the kind of (mis)treatment Harambee Stars got before last Tuesday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde.

Harambee Stars lost the match 2-0 after arriving in Cape Verde three hours to kick off.

“We brought it on ourselves. All along, we knew about this match and we should have made prior travel arrangements,” he said.