 Y 공ira Doga nomuni crawibutisana mho셔서zo Amazon Azuima Kibara Turniosu ada Sh всё bigan pumpkin awak ka tan Aslo So you began your football career that hasn't clocked a decade yet, so it means you're still in the game. So how did it, you turning out for LXLG, how has it been for you? It's been amazing, I met a lot of characters who are academy, so it's an academy. So basically I have kids from under nine to senior team, so I have actually learnt a lot from the academy. We have had quality coaches that work to Ongelesha, so I have learnt a lot from the starting of the process. How was it important that you began here? How is it important? Because my brother started the academy, so I trust him fully, he's my brother, he's my agent, my mentor, so it was important for me to work with him. He also played football, he's an ex-footballer, played for Superpaka, Kibira Celtics, and he's one of my idols. What's his name? Julio Diambo. Julio Diambo. Nice one. So from LXLG you left and you got signed by Kibira United? Yeah, the first season I had with Kibira United was in I think 2021, the first season. No, I went to Europe first. After LXLG you went to Europe? Yes, your experiences in Europe, that's when you signed for Ash Graben? Yes, I used to be an ice club in Europe, in Austria, it's division 4 team. I signed after Corona, that's in 2021, after academy and it was amazing. How was the experiences like transitioning from Kenya now, you're knocking the door of your dreams now? At first it was hard, everything is different there. Moving from different weather to another one, different people, different types of food, everything is different, so at first it was hard to cope with, I complained a lot, but I managed, after 3 months I was okay with some of the things and it went well for the first half season. Well maybe some of the key things that help you adjust quickly? My mentors, my parents, they talk to me every day of my journey, so they calm me down, I used to complain, I used to listen to this and this, the weather, it's cold every day. So Ash Graben, what kind of, how did you break into the team? In the first, I think 3-4 weeks I wasn't in the main team, I was in the under 23, that's like probation, so like the Ochu. So I played about 5-7 games every weekend for the under 23 and the main team cut said I should sign for the main team immediately because I was too good for the under 23, so he gave me a chance in the senior team, that's where it started. And you stayed there for how long? The first time I stayed for 6 months, I did half a season, 6 months is almost half a season, so the first half season was amazing I would say. What would you say about the level, the kind of mental strength one has to be in when you make in such a way, you try to make a career abroad? You have to be strong, I've told this to a lot of people who asked me about Europe and how it is, I tell them you have to be super super strong because after 2 weeks everyone wants to come back because you come from sunny weather, you go there, it's snowy, it's raining every day, you can't play because you're not used to it, different type of food and most people can't adjust to the food, to the people, the language barrier, that's a major factor, the language barrier. How do players navigate that, especially when you have to receive instructions? You just have to, say reversal language. Yeah, but immediately before I went there, I had like a 3 months learning of Doesh, so I had basics, for me I had basics so it wasn't that hard and I continued with lessons when I was there, so it was okay for me because you just need basics for instructions. Yeah, and how did your strengths make you, maybe at this particular club make you a better midfielder? The level of football there is very different from ours in Kenya, it's upgraded I'd say, so when you play with, I've played with, when I was in division 4, I've played with people who once played in the top elite teams in their country, so you really learn a lot, they talk to you, they tell you about their style of play, you get idols there of course in the team, you get players to watch, players to hang out with, so it really proves you both in the field and off the field. And I know, moving forward now, you had also since at Kibira United and Kibira Blacksters, what were these moves meant to do? At Kibira United, first I was in Kibira United before Kibira Blacksters, so the coach that was there at that time was a friend of mine, basically one of the CEOs of LXG also, so he was a friend of mine, so everything worked well, I learnt a lot in the club, it's a community club, so the football there is different, you play for something else. And that's something else is the badge? It's the badge, I used to play for my coach, I don't lie. You died for him? Yes, I died for this friend of mine, I mentor. I mean when you say maybe how crucial is the friendship to help you be at this point? He started mentoring me, he's one of the people who realised me when I was so young, I was almost 9, 10, I used to go to this Kibira Celtic, was one of the teams in the National Super League, that time my brother played there and the coach at Kibira United also played there, so I went to watch them, every game I used to go, so they realised me at such a young age and started grooming me slowly by slowly, and as soon as they started the LXG academy I was inducted. And maybe we can talk about playing for the badge, how important is for a player to realise that you need to play for the badge? It needs realisation and maybe you have to have a certain relationship with the team that's beyond football, maybe your father played there, maybe it's your community, it's where you live, that's the village where the team comes from, so that's basically it. So the next move, what are you eyeing? I'm eyeing to play in the NSL maybe once again, maybe better and maybe in the Premier League, not anything less. And looking at your journey maybe going back again, the transfer window when it opens? Yeah, when they transfer windows my agents are overworking, they'll find something for me, something good, I trust them. So as I said earlier, I think I'll play in the Premier League NSL or outside the country. What kind of qualities do you think players who majorly seek careers abroad, what kind of new thing the outside world is looking for? First of all you have to have talent, your talent must be enough and then accompanied by hard work. You have to strive, you have to have strong mentality and that's basically it. Do you think that maybe elsewhere players have a better start, they have an advantage of some sort? Do you think that shows when players especially now move to such places? Yeah, some people have been groomed better than others, that's the truth. So they will get bigger opportunities, maybe more opportunities abroad or just bigger clubs. So that's just the truth of the game. So right now when you returned you did not sign for any club? No, I decided to take a rest. I didn't quit, I decided to... So you quit? Yeah, people say they quit but I told them it's just a normal break. Most footballers do it if you're keen, most footballers do it because this sport is sometimes devastating. You train these that sometimes you're frustrated about this and that because you also have life beyond football. You have studies, you have family, so it's a lot. So sometimes when everything is just happening take a break and that's what I did. How did you use those moments to come up again? I just needed a break to think about decisions and what I should do to improve myself as a person first of all. And also as a player. At 23, that was too early for people to say you had hung your boots? Yeah, it's crazy. I didn't write anywhere I hung my boots. I just didn't sign for any club for the last half a season. So there was rumas, I quit, then people find me in Kwamtauko. They say you don't play football anymore, you've disappointed a lot of people. And also maybe your moves to Europe and coming back? Yeah, they expect a lot from me. How do you handle the pressure? I've just learned to listen to them and just tell them it's this and this. Because not everyone goes to Europe, not everyone gets a chance. It's only a few people who get a chance to go to Europe. It's not because of anything or favor, it's just opportunities. So when you go to Europe and you're from, let's say, Aslaamagedo, people have more expectations from you. And such a thing that I did, I didn't sign anywhere. It got almost half of the community devastated because they were like, how can you go to Europe and you are young and then you hang your boots, it doesn't even make sense. And maybe players from places where you come from, cut from a different cloth, what kind of experiences and how they shape you? I'm from Kibera, Islam. So we have a lot of talent there. There's too much talent, especially in football, everyone plays football there. And everyone is talented. So you learn from different people, you have people you look at, you have friends, people you hang out with. So they influence a lot in you, especially Mimi. So yeah. Yes. And in your position, who is your role model in attacking midfield role? General. Yes. It's tough. I'd say maybe Kevin De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne, right? And also we hope to see you going up and up, earning call-ups, national call-ups, and also featuring for the top tier teams in the league, right? So you'll be going back, you'll be turning out for Kibera Blacksters, this forthcoming window. Okay. All the best, we've been speaking to Moses Lahimo, formerly turned out for Kibera United, so Kibera Blacksters and also Heather Stint with Ash Graben, that's in Austria, right? On his career, 23 year old attacking midfielder. Thank you so much, Moses, for gracing touchline and we wish you all the best. Up next is the fan zone with Tyres.