Musa Masika is finally finding rhythm at his dream club Gor Mahia. Masika was handed a rare start against AFC Leopards but was subbed off after 35 minutes but combined excellently with the likes of Rooney Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, and Sharrif Musa down the right-hand side, which gave Leopards all sorts of problems.
The unpredictable attacking midfielder joined Gor Mahia mid-season after leaving KCB on a free transfer, even though he did not play a lot in the first half of the season due to injuries.
However, he has been getting to match fitness by making cameo appearances, and had earned the right to start against Leopards, but had to be hooked off after their keeper Kevin Omondi was sent off for fouling Leopards’ Victor Omune.
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AFC
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Posta Rangers
McKinstry described Masika as a hugely talented player he had been admiring for a while, revealing his plan and vision for the fleet-footed attacker.
“Musa is a player we have been interested in for a while, hugely talented,” McKinstry.
“He is one of the players here in Kenya who maybe people looked at with a lot of excitement at 17 or 18 but maybe for one or two reasons did not fulfill that talent in those few years.
“We have quite a lot of them in this team. There are a lot of players who went off the radar, the likes of Austin Odhiambo who a lot of people were like ‘he is a troublemaker’, not just here but in the league as a whole.”
Masika’s adaptability and understanding of the game were evident as he seamlessly transitioned between positions, showcasing his versatility and strategic acumen.
McKinstry emphasized the value of having such intelligent and talented players within the squad, acknowledging the disappointment felt by those left out of the matchday squad due to the abundance of talent available.
“Musa has barely played for KCB this season but we remember last season when he played a huge role and then came to us and admitted he was not match fit and needed time.
“He is getting to a stage where he can play 90 minutes now, but his football intelligence is so high. I know you saw him and Rooney Onyango, old friends who grew up together and having them on that side I think you saw in the build up phase, Musa at right back and Rooney in the number 8 position.
Looking ahead, McKinstry expressed confidence in Masika’s continued growth and success, highlighting his untapped potential and the promising future that lies ahead.
Masika’s resilience and impact serve as a testament to the depth of talent within Gor Mahia and the club’s commitment to nurturing young players.
In conclusion, Masika’s performance in the face of adversity exemplifies the spirit and potential within Kenyan football, with McKinstry’s commendations underscoring the significance of Masika’s contributions to Gor Mahia’s success.
As McKinstry aptly stated, “There is a lot more to come for him,” signaling a bright future for the talented midfielder.