 Welcome back on Touchline days of course on Y254 and I have Sad Musa, a mercurial midfielder from FC Leppards stand up for FC Leppards between 2018 to 2023 last year. I did read on his post about his departure from FC and I was just like wow what's the next move because he's one of the top midfielders that Kenyan Premier League has ever witnessed. Sad Musa, Karibusana? Yes indeed and you know we've been friends for a good time. Did your story must have been six or seven years ago at Calix? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, wouldly. Yes and it's been great since then I think at that time you were at Tika United? Yeah, I was at Tika United. Yes and how has it been for you since you began at Tika United? We were first in school in western and we went to Azam, take us through that years. Yeah after finishing fourth home there was a tournament in Arusha, Rolling Stone. So we were just at home then this guy came, we had to go to Arusha. After the tournament we were knocked out the quarterfinals, Kibra United after that the Azam was participating also. We were scouted, we came back home, I went to Azam. We had trials for like 500 people, we got selected 10 so we stayed at the academy. Yeah and that's how you nurtured your talent? Yeah they nurtured my talent and stuff so they wanted me to be a Tanzanian at some point. Then not you? Yeah them, we were going to Burundi. Yeah also they were like you can get your Tanzanian passport so you can continue from there. Do you regret? No no, I'm not regretting anything. And then of course you played there and then came back to Kenya? Yeah I came back to Kenya, straight to City Stars. Yes. Spend two years at City Stars, one and a half actually. Yes. Then I went to Tika United, played there for quite some time. Then I joined the mighty FC Leopards. Yes indeed. Maybe was it your dream move? Yeah everyone's dream, everyone's dream in Kenyan Premier League they want to play for FC Leopards, for Gold Maia, Tascar, these bigger teams. Your contribution at FC Leopards, how would you term it? Yeah it was good, I would make them with these funny names and good names. What's the name that maybe you like to see? Past Master, Game Changer, but unfortunately there were some challenges, injuries and stuff. Yeah they really slowed you down. Yeah they really slowed me down. But right now everything is great? Yeah I have like one month, like four weeks, five weeks so that I can recover my surgery. I did a surgery, shoulder surgery. So I'm almost coming back. And then you announced what informed your announcement from the departure from Ingwe? Yeah I announced it because the contract was ending last month. And I thought it was a good thing to change environment. I've been there for like six years now. And whatever I've achieved at FC Leopards, whatever I've contributed, it remains to the heart of the fans and the memories will still be there. And for me also it's a good thing. Was your proud moment in six years at the Den? At the Den there was a time we were struggling, we were struggling a lot. And I was out so I came back, pick up the team. We started at the winning moment and it came, it came now. We won the Lidonda Cup and we were second runners up at the GoTV Cup I think twice. That's some of the proud moments. And now what informs your decision to make the move? I want to see what other teams carry like environment. I want to change the environment because you can't be somewhere for those years. And you're not enjoying what you love doing most. I came, I play five games, I'm out for like two, three months. It was so frustrating. It needs someone with a big heart. So now I just made the decision. It's cool. And also when you're out the coaches keep on coming in, coming out. The coach comes, he likes you, then you play some games, then you go out. You don't understand. When you come back you're fighting with fitness, the body changes. And you know the gap between you and the other players. It becomes bigger. So it has been a very big challenge for me. So where next? The agent is working on something. It will be exclusive. But soon. Could be around in KPL? No, no. I pray that it goes through but it's not in KPL. So there are talks with several clubs already? Yes, exactly. How advanced are they? In Europe, Africa, you can just talk about the continent maybe. No, no. Let me... And also maybe you made a decision. You just revealed that Tanzania wanted to give you a passport citizenship. And you said no, right? You chose of course Kenya where you were born, right? Yeah, yeah. But then you decided to switch nationality and turn out for South Sudan. My dad is South Sudanese. We Nubians, you know we Nubians from South Sudan. So at the time I was at FC Leopards, had some good run. So they were the South Sudan captain. He was in Kenya. He came and he just said you should come to help at the national team. It was a tough decision because at that moment I was with Coach Kima Nimodo. I asked him how do you see this. He told me you can play for the national team Harambe Stas. If you just believe and continue working hard and be consistent and this injury thing disappears, you will play. I am very sure you will play for the national team, for the Kenya national team. But there is an inside thing where you are lineage. I just had to go to South Sudan. And it was so good. It is the best decision I have ever made. How was the rest welcoming to the squad? Because there must be a couple of players like you also who returned today. It was so nice. They were welcoming. They wanted me to learn the culture and everything. So it was so nice. They were treating me like a king now. So every time I am going to South Sudan, my man is settled. I play comfortably and I enjoy football a lot there. And of course South Sudan also had a good run. I think when they beat Harambe Stas in a field last year, you were out. Ya, I was injured. But that must have made you feel good. Ya, I feel bad because I wanted to be part of that. It's doubles. Ya, because injury now and I wanted to be the part of the team that defeated Kenya. Do you have celebrated? Ya, I could have celebrated in front of my friends who had grown up. Ya, it could be so nice. I know Meshag is laughing. Everybody is laughing here. Low respite, yes. And a great run for the team. What's the future for the team? They've really posted good results. Players who think it's now getting into the rhythm and the competitive age. That's what they might be at the Afghan. Ya, it's a small thing that is coming up. And the good thing about South Sudan is we have a lot of players in the continent. So when we come together, they bring what they have, we bring what we have, we mix and you are good to go. In some few years we will be a very tough team to compete with. What do you think will make it a great team? What will make it stand out? And what gives such teams that great results along the road? Ya, I just pray the federation do the necessary. To put in good infrastructure, like good stadiums and everything. And whatever the foreign players have to come with, they should also contribute to the growth of the country, of football. Ya, because we have very good under 20 teams, under 23 and they are doing so well. And they are going even for Pan-African games, all African games in Ghana. Next month I guess ya. So even FIFA, it's very supportive in South Sudan. They are doing a very good job in South Sudan. The building facility in the training coach? Ya, that's what they are pushing. Ya, yes indeed. And South Sudan will be a force to work on with. What do you make of the East African level of standards? We've seen just the Afghan ongoing. Tazena was dissolved, we are representative from the region. But also we saw other teams from the continent rising and taking their claim. Ya, it's a shame that we don't have a team there. And East Africa, we were not like, Kenya was the powerhouse of East Africa. Ya, because Kenya has a very big talent, vast talent in Kenya. But you know what's going on in Kenya. There's a time Kenya was banned. We are not called for the national team because our league was not going on. Ya, you understand. Kenya is a backbone of East Africa. Ya, even if the good players come from Uganda, they were coming to the Kenyan league. We were playing in the Kenyan league. So if the league is going low, then everything collapses in East Africa. Ya, indeed. It is the biggest economy in the region. Ya, exactly. And we'll be hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of National. Ya, I hope we'll be ready. What do you mean being ready? Kenya will be ready to host. Ya, and also the players. So just not to participate but get beyond where we've always gotten beyond the group stage and even beyond the knockout round. Even the same isn't the final as well. Is that possible? It's possible because if they start now, it's possible. Ya, there's a lot of talent in Kenya. In East Africa. In East Africa in general. That will be happening in 2027. Exactly. The league going on right now, I mean you must, you were part of FFC, still part of FFC Leipards, you know. On and off, start-stop season. Coach is coming and going but now I think they are finding a rhythm. Ya, FFC are finding a rhythm and I hope the new coach and the new young players will do the good work to keep the flag high because it's a big team. It's not supposed to be where it is now. So I think they will work together. Everything will be okay. Ya, yes indeed FFC Leipards. Of course, Sad Musa turned out for FFC Leipards and you said that they called you the past master, the game changer and all that is because of what they were seeing in the field and indeed we used to enjoy especially your tans man, I hope. Ya, a great midfielder of his generation. Thank you so much Sad Musa. Thank you so much. Ya, and we wish you all the best where you are headed next to. And we hope that we will have you either live here or on Zoom. We hope that will be the first one to know where you are next to. Ya, insha Allah. Thank you so much. This is the touch line of course that Sad Musa, formerly of FFC Leipards and also turns out for the South Sudan National Team. And of course next up I'll be speaking to the speed bikers, the super series who already in the studio. Let's take a short break but stay with touch line.