Sofapaka midfielder Mohamed Kilume has voiced his desire to wear the national football team Harambee Stars colours.
“Every player wants to play at the very top, the national team is one. I have been unlucky when it comes to the national team. I haven’t been able to represent the nation at any level but it remains one of my main targets. Playing for the country comes with advantages, it builds on one’s curriculum vitae (CV) and positions one to opportunities out of the country. I hope to someday wear the Harambee Stars stripes and demonstrate what am capable of,” he said.
Speaking to the club's official portal, Kilume recounted the early career frustrations that drove him from the slums of Majengo, Nairobi to play football at the national stage.
"Watching my former teammates making it through to higher levels made me rethink my decision on football," said the 23 year old. "I wanted a good life and had hoped my talent would help me get a breakthrough. Sadly, this wasn’t the case. This got me frustrated and I decided to quit football and shifted my focus on other handy jobs to at least get some income. After a while, I started noticing my former teammates making strides in the lower and top-tier leagues. They were beginning to make a living out of it and this made me have deep thoughts. I changed my perception and decided to struggle my way back humbly but so determined and focused to make it through," he said.
The Sofapaka vice captain credits teammate Brian Magonya and former coach Sam Ssibwa for playing pivotal roles in his career thus far. This season Batoto Ba Mungu have failed to live up to the expectations of many, who saw them as a real contender for the Premier League title. Instead, they have fallen way out of the title race and were in 11th place before the topflight season was suspended.