Former Talanta player not concerned if he will be first choice or not

National Football Team Harambee Stars goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo during team's training session at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies on August 05, 2018. Kenya was preparing for the AFCON qualifier match against Ghana on September 8, 2018 at the Kasarani Stadium. Photo/Stafford

Hard work and consistency has finally paid off for Bandari goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo who gets a chance to don the national team colours during next month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

Last season, he was named the Goalkeeper of the Year after leading his club to finish runners-up in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL).

This year, his team is in the final of the SportPesa Shield and he could win his first trophy for the dockers. The team also reached the final of the regional SportPesa Cup held in Tanzania losing to Kariobangi Sharks.

Bandari have also been top contenders for this year’s SPL title with Shikalo making crucial saves to keep his side in contention.

Now Shikalo has a chance to play against Africa’s top sides Algeria and Senegal and he looks forward to sending Stars to the knock-out stages of the tournament after he was named in the 30-man harambee Stars squad.

“It is a big delight to be called up to the team. I was looking forward to it after working so hard in the last few months,” he said.

Shikalo who will be fighting to dislodge Patrick Matasi as the number one goalkeeper says he is not so concerned about starting but rather supporting and learning from Matasi.

“My biggest concern now is not whether I will start or not. I look up to Matasi and want to give him all the support he needs.

“I just want to achieve something big with Kenya, to go to the next level which we have never done before and for this, we have a good chance.

“No one believed in us when we started the campaign but hard work and team work has helped us.”

Shikalo describes Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne as the best tactician he has worked with.

“He is concerned about all his players even when they are not in camp and always makes a follow up on our welfare even when one is injured.”

Shikalo credits his goalkeeper trainer Rizak Siwa and Bandari head coach Bernard Mwalala for having pushed him to his current level.

“Coming to Mombasa has given me a different perspective on many things. Rizak and Mwalala have played a big role to push me to where I am and I want to repay them by winning the Shield,” he said.

On rumours that he wanted out of the club, Shikalo said he still has a lot to achieve with the dockers.