Former Gor Mahia defender could be on his way to Tanzanian giants Yanga

Harambee Stars Captain Musa Mohamed supplicate after beating Malawi 1-0 during a friendly match at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. Sept 11, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Without a doubt, it has been a rollercoaster playing career for Kenyan international Musa Mohammed at club levels.

He might have blundered in Harambee Stars 3-0 defeat to Senegal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group C match in Egypt, but Musa is arguably one of the best defenders in the country.

After successful stints at Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia and Zambian Super League giants Nkana Red Devils, Musa could be on his way to Tanzania’s Yanga SC-another big club in Africa-after the expiry of his current two-year contract with the Kitwe-based outfit this month.

But whether it has been hard work or sheer luck, from Gor Mahia-where he spent close to nine seasons to Nkana, the 28-year-old Fisa Academy graduate appears to have left a legacy at both clubs.

Harambee Stars Captain Musa Mohamed control ball before Alfred Mbulu of Malawi during friendly match at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. Sept 11, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Save for his unsuccessful stint at Albanian side KF Tirana in 2018 (April) where he terminated his contract barely four months after joining the side, the defender has left quite an imprint at the two sides he captained.

Musa had an impressive career at K'Ogalo, winning four league titles and three domestic trophies (two GOtv Shields and a Top 8 Cup) as well as individual awards since he was signed by former Gor coach Gideon Ochieng’ from Fisa Academy in 2010.

He then left the green army in 2018 for Albanian giants KF Tirana-reuniting with former Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira-a few months after captaining the national team to the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup triumph in Machakos.

But he later terminated his contract with Tirana just four months into the deal before landing a two-year contract at Nkana in July 2018.

Even as Musa is looking forward to joining his compatriot Farouk Shikalo and former AFC Leopards coach Luc Eymael at Yanga, he is proud of his achievements at Nkana.

He led the club to second-place finish in the league in his first season at the club and clinched the maiden Barclays Cup as well as reached the quarter-finals stage of the Caf Confederation Cup where they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.

“I think I’m one of the luckiest players in Kenya to have played for almost three big clubs in my career.  Donning Gor Mahia, Tirana and Nkana jerseys is no mean feat. I thank God for that as I look forward to the new challenge depending on the outcome of the on-going negotiations,” Musa told Standard Sports.

“My agent is in talks with Yanga SC as we also wait for a possible contract extension offer from Nkana. I have less than a month on my contract with them, but we will know the way forward in the next few weeks. “

He added: “To be honest, I’ve enjoyed my life and experience at Nkana. Captaining a club in a foreign country and managing to play in both Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup is not easy.

"I’m grateful for the hospitality and the confidence they had in me. This helped me to settle down very quickly when I joined the club and helped the team finish second in the league that season. I think that’s one of my best moments at Nkana.”