Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma has promised to defy the odds and fit in the gap left by Kenyan international Sven Yidah who left the club for South African side Marumo Gallants.City Stars lost the hard-tackling Yidah to Marumo two months ago leaving the technical bench with an arduous task of finding his replacement on time before the new term kicks off.##NAJAVA_MECA_6686227##Their search led them to Migori Youth where they beat Kariobangi Sharks and the 2009 league champions Sofapaka in the race to acquire the promising Ouma.Ouma who joined the Migori Youth Academy at the age of thirteen says he has adapted well to the City Stars culture and was ready to take up the defensive midfield roles in the first team.”The team brought me in to plug in a gap left by an incredible player who has gone on to play for the junior national teams. It is a huge responsibility for me but I am equal to the task,” he said.Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda decries prevailling uncertainty over league startAsked on why he chose Simba wa Nairobi over Sofapaka and Sharks, Ouma said he was inspired by his former school mate Timothy Noor who left City Stars for Swedish top tier side Elfsborg.The two midfielders schooled together at the Migori based Kanga High School with Ouma having the privilege of captaining the team in the inter-school competitions.”Noor’s success is a source of inspiration to most of us. He passed through the current City Stars technical bench members who molded him. I believe, I will join him at the professional level in the near future,” he stated.Meanwhile, having played against top flight sides in the recently concluded Elite pre-season Cup, Ouma, predicts a fun-filled debut season in his debut season in the senior league.
