Football: Sofapaka’s Kigonya relishing Cranes call-up

Football Sofapaka FC goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya reacts during their Kenyan Premier League match against Tusker FC on November 11. [Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com]

Sofapaka FC's first choice goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya says he is relishing a call-up to the Ugandan national team, The Cranes, for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off on Sunday.

The extrovert goalkeeper said he was fit and ready to be part of the team that will carry Uganda’s banner in the championships, adding that his ultimate dream was to venture into paid ranks in Europe.

“I would really be happy to be part of Uganda Cranes that will launch its Cecafa title defence in Kenya. Indeed, hard work never stops paying and I hope one day to play in Europe. I’m focused and very positive mentally,” Kigonya told Ugandan portal, Kawowo Sports.

Since landing at Sofapaka, Kigonya, who has endeared himself to Kenyan football fans, has been in alluring form for Batoto Ba Mungu and was instrumental in the team’s second-place finish behind Gor Mahia in the just-concluded 2017 SportPesa Premier League (SPL).

The agile glove-man says his dream is to make big strides in his career and ply his trade in Europe. To get there, he acknowledges that participating in the Cecafa tournament will be crucial.

Should he be drafted in the Uganda Cranes final squad, this will be the second international outing for the player in less than five months, after he featured for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Allstars squad that toured Spain for two invitational fixtures.

Kigonya joined Sofapaka last year and was immediately handed a starting role before earning himself praise from head coach Sam Ssimbwa and his deputy John Baraza.

Kigonya’s last paraded for Uganda in last year's African Nations Championships (Chan) finals in Rwanda. [Standard Sports]