As he braces himself up for the next phase of his career, former national U20 defensive midfielder Steiner Musasia avers that were it not for coach Stanley Okumbi, he could still be languishing in the country’s lower tiers.The former Harambee Stars head coach handed the youthful midfielder an opportunity to showcase his talent at the top flight when he signed him at Posta Rangers in February last year.##NAJAVA_MECA_6678055##Prior to joining Rangers, Musasia was attached to the defunct Nairobi Stima who by then were plying trade in the National Super League (NSL) before folding up upon meeting the wrath of the axe.The midfielder who left Rangers a couple of weeks ago revealed that he was chasing a lucrative deal abroad that he believes would not have come his way had Okumbi not given him the chance at Rangers and the national youth teams.Face saving FKF Transition Committee embarks on charm offensive with list of ‘achievements’Okumbi has had a soft spot for the midfielder as he drafted him in the national U20 team that participated in the 2020 edition of the CECAFA tournament in Arusha and was also in the U23 team that played in the regional showpiece held last year in Ethiopia.Besides that, Musasia worked under Okumbi for years at the Acakoro Academy and at Division One side Rainbow FC where Rangers had loaned him out to.Although he did not reveal more details on the deal when pressed to do so, he says the short stint he had at Posta under Okumbi procured him interests from within the local league and beyond.Musasia who featured for Rainbow in their final group stage match of the ongoing Elite pre-season Cup against Kariobangi Sharks on Tuesday hailed Okumbi for holding his hand from his early days at Acakoro to his final day at Rainbow.Alex Otieno: Unfancied para athlete with unmatched prowess in massage therapy”I can confirm that I left Rangers some weeks ago. I also featured for Rainbow in the Elite Cup on Invitational basis as my loan spell with them ended few months ago. My focus is trained on completing a deal abroad. Honestly the interested team would not have come my way had it not been for the exposure coach Okumbi has afforded me. I am the player I am today because of him and other grassroot based coaches who have handled me throughout the years, ” he said.Meanwhile, Musasia thanked the Rangers for the platform offered to display his talent especially in the 2020-2021 season where matches were beamed live.
