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The Nairobian

Timbe’s return offers Migne options

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Jun 10, 2019

**Harambee Stars Ayub** **Timbe,** **left and Francis Nganga of Congo in a match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, June 5, 2016.** [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO]

China-based midfielder back after almost one year plagued by injuries and suspension.

Harambee Stars midfielder Ayub Timbe is one of the rare Kenyan players, who have gone through the ranks of academy football to get to the top of their career.

He can trace his beginnings to at least three local academies; Ligi Ndogo where he started playing in 2004, Ujuzi Academy and finally JMJ Academy who took him to Belgium and from there he blossomed.

Former JMJ Academy chairman Jean Marie Abeels says the fact that Timbe went to Belgium very early, helped to mould his career.

“The first time I saw him, he was amazing. He was very talented and I knew that if he stayed in Kenya for long he would lose it. That is when we decided to send him to Belgium so that he could horn his skills in those academies,” he said.

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Timbe spent two years at the Anderlecht Youth academy between 2006-2008 then moved to two other Belgium youth academies at Germinal Beerschot and Genk.

It was, therefore, no surprise that he was snapped up by the Genk senior team in 2011 where he made 42 appearances and scored once in the top Belgium league.

He was loaned out to Lierse in 2014 for two years scoring eight goals in the 38 matches he played. In total he spent three years at Lierse after making his move permanent.

In 2017, Timbe made his move to the Chinese league joining Beijing Renhe and is currently turning out for Heilongijang another club based in China where he is on loan.

Timbe made his debut for the national team Harambee Stars in 2012 but due to injury and sometime club commitment has not fully had time to cement his position in the squad.

His last match for Harambee Stars was against Sierra Leone in 2017 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier where he was sent off and missed fixtures against Ghana and Ethiopia apart from being fined Sh1 million.

It is his first time working with current Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne and certainly has a lot to prove to make it to the final 23 member squad. In terms of experience, he had plenty to offer the team.