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The custodian has had to wait patiently for a chance to make the first team at Tusker, having joined the club's academy in 2019.
In modern football, it is increasingly becoming rare to find a player nurtured from the top club’s academy making it to the first team.
According to Arsenal’s head of academy Per Mertesacker in an interview with Football London in 2019, less than one percent of players who come through a club’s youth ranks end up making the first team.
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08:30 - 06.08.2023
FKFPL Fabien Adikiny: Can Ex-Murang'a Seal midfielder fill Humphrey Mieno's shoes at Tusker?
Head coach Robert Matano described Adikiny as 'the new Humphrey Mieno' during his official unveiling as a Tusker player.
The other 99 percent never make the cut, and of that remaining percentage, only 40 percent end up making careers in football at other clubs.
So for goalkeeper Edwin Simiyu to make the cut at Tusker after being nurtured at academy level since joining in 2019, it is a big milestone, not just for himself and his family, but also for Robert Matano, who had to witness the departure of the experienced duo of Michael Wanjala and Harambee Stars custodian Patrick Matasi from Ruaraka.
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21:59 - 08.08.2023
FKFPL Gor Mahia ordered to fork out two million to pay Harambee Stars midfielder
The versatile player moved to court demanding that Sirkal paid him his outstanding dues in accrued salaries and unpaid signing-on fee, and the court has now ruled the case in his favor.
Simiyu has joined a list of players to be promoted from Tusker Youth to the senior team. He follows in the footsteps of Eric Zakayo, John Njuguna, and latest one being Collins ‘Kante’ Otieno who was promoted last year.
Naturally calm and collected, the 23-year-old spoke to Pulse Sports shortly after his unveiling as a senior team player last week.
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15:55 - 08.08.2023
Momanyi sets ambitious tone for Tusker's after taking the captain's armband
The 28-year-old defender, takes charge as team captain, focusing on unity and success as Tusker prepares for the new season.
Watching his fellow academy products, especially Collins 'Kante' Otieno who belongs to the same age group, get promoted is something he said motivated him to want to make the cut
“Kante’s promotion motivated me because we joined the youth team at the same time, and we spent much time together. It showed me that with hard work, you can achieve anything,” Simiyu said.
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19:37 - 03.08.2023
FKFPL Shabana secures temporary home stadium ahead of 2023/2024 season
FKF Premier League's newly promoted side finds a welcoming abode as Gusii Stadium undergoes renovations.
“For me, this is a testament that patience pays. I have been patient since I joined the team in 2019 and I knew my chance would come one day. I am delighted that it has finally come.”
Simiyu expresses his delight at working with goalkeepers of international pedigree, expressing just how much he has learned from working with Matasi, current vice-captain and first-choice goalkeeper Brian Bwire alongside the goalkeeper trainer Duncan Ochieng, himself a former Harambee Stars international.
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10:45 - 08.08.2023
FOOTBALL Henry Atola Meja: After his rollercoaster ride in Sweden, what does the future hold for ex-Tusker forward?
The forward had a difficult start to his European adventure after falling out of favour at AIK but left his parent club with a big decision to make after shining on loan at Norrby.
"Training with Matasi (Patrick) and Bwire (Brian) and then coaching by Dunco (Duncan Ochieng) who have been regulars on the national team always motivated me. They pushed me and gave me advice and I can say it is because of them that I am here today.”
“I am happy, it is not easy to have made the team, but I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.“
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10:13 - 08.08.2023
FOOTBALL Reformed Kenyan street boy completes move to Belarusian club after transfer saga
The midfielder roamed the streets of Nyahururu, Nakuru, and Nairobi after fleeing the bandit-infested area of Baragoi due to the rampant cattle rustling.
Simiyu acknowledges that ousting Bwire will not be easy, but he is prepared to support and compliment him, and with a bit of luck, anything is very possible.
“It will not be easy. He is an experienced player. I have been with him for three years, but I will fight for my spot and give it my best shot.”
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04:50 - 07.08.2023
FKFPL McKinstry on why he is hungry for more title success at Gor Mahia
The Northern Irish tactician reveals the reason he is determined to keep winning trophies with K'Ogalo after coaching the side to their 20th title.
Last season, Tusker fell shot of winning the league title by a single point and also missed out on the FKF Cup final, which left the team naturally distraught. Simiyu says that being part of the “new Tusker” as head coach Robert Matano says, teamwork is key if they are to stand a chance of making amends this season.
“We need to be determined and move together as a unit. That way, we can make amends for our mistakes last season and do better this time round.”
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16:30 - 07.08.2023
Tusker's new marvel: John Byamukama's first interview stirs emotions
Young Ugandan star shares aspirations and admiration for coach Robert Matano.
“It is all God’s plan, I can only do my best and hope he does the rest!”
Simiyu could get his fair share of game time as the second-choice goalkeeper, which will give him much-needed exposure and experience that may help him make a career at Tusker or elsewhere.
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