Experienced Ulinzi Stars custodian James Saruni is determined to reclaim the ‘Golden Glove’ in the 2022-2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season from the hands of his predecessor Patrick Matasi.Saruni laid hands on the individual accolade last season after keeping 12 cleansheets, one ahead of the duo of Joseph Ochuka and Stephen Njung’e who featured for KCB and Nairobi City Stars respectively. Ochuka has since returned to Bandari.Ulinzi Stars captain James Saruni wins the 2020/21 season Golden Glove after keeping 12 Clean Sheets.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/Q6DqrVxFVk— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) August 22, 2021 The veteran glove man who has eleven cleansheets against his name heading to the final round of the season has no chance of catching the designated winner, Matasi who has not conceded in sixteen matches.Saruni who doubles up as the Ulinzi Stars skipper said the difficulties experienced in the season lowered his chances of retaining the award but vowed to fight for it in the coming season.The rise and rise of the Tanzanian Premier LeagueThe Kenyan international spent considerable time on the treatment table and was unfortunate to proceed to a compassionate leave in December last year following the demise of his beloved daughter.”The season has been slightly difficult for me at a personal level but I am grateful for the eleven cleansheets kept thus far. I am a player who loves competition and I am sure, I will reclaim the award next season and even skipper the team either to the title or a good finish on the log,” he said.Saruni, one of the two goalkeeper captains in the league, while revealing more on his future said he had close to four seasons remaining before he hangs his gloves.🚨 James Saruni👏✅ Congratulations to the Kenya Navy Mtongwe Base Seaman for winning the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣/2️⃣1️⃣ FKFPL Golden Glove award➡️ Ulinzi Stars Family, show some love for our ‘Spiderman’👏#GBUS #WeSoldierOn#FKFPL📸 Courtesy pic.twitter.com/aaSG7GV1K6— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) September 8, 2021 The shot stopper who has been facing minimal competition for playing time at the club owing to his experience however tipped the department to continue producing the best post his era, given the management’s eye for the best upcoming goalkeepers in the market.”I still have around four seasons remaining in me before I call time to my career. If there is a department that has quality options in the club then it’s the goalkeeping one for the management scouts the best,” he said.
