On the night of October 30 2028, Cliff Nyakeya almost burst into tears after he was named the midfielder of the year thanks to the 14 goals he had scored in the season.Soon after the midfielder who is currently attached to AFC Leopards hoisted the individual award during the gala held at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, he lifted the lid on the struggles he had grappled to reach to the top division.Nyakeya revealed that he almost quit football in 2014 while featuring for Gor Mahia Youth due to inadequate financial support but his resilience and urge to afford a decent life through playing the game kept him going.##NAJAVA_MECA_6923529##In his acceptance speech after receiving the award, Nyakeya thanked former Gor Mahia Secretary General Chris Omondi for coming to his rescue at a time when he was seriously considering quitting football.Nyakeya maintains that winning the midfielder of the year award was one of the best moments in his career as it opened the door for the player as he earned a move to Egypt and went on to become a regular starter for the national team, Harambee Stars.The former Mathare United man returned to the Kenyan Premier League in July 2021 after parting ways with FC Masr and would sign for Wazito in September.Harambee Stars trialist training with Belgium third-tier sideSince his return to the local league, the player acknowledges that he has not been performing to the best of his ability due to a number of off the pitch issues.However, the Leopard who was recently cleared to play in the league matches is promising to unleash his beat mode this year and hit his best form again.Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems could not field the player and nine others in the opening four rounds of the season due to the transfer ban that had been imposed on the club.How football talent broke barriers for Wadadia trainer Joy Wanjau”I haven’t been at my best since leaving Egypt. The manner in which I left Egypt affected me mentally and as a result, had an effect on my form. I have also had a fair share of off the pitch issues in the Kenyan league that could not allow me to fully focus. However, having been cleared to play, I can guarantee all that I will be scoring and assisting for fun starting from our mid-week match,” he said.GITAHI: Should we expect better outings in club basketball this year?Nyakeya said the environment at the den coupled by the confidence he has drawn from Aussems are enough ingredients to achieve his targets which include recapturing the individual award and inspiring Ingwe to win a title.Leopards are set to tackle the struggling Nairobi City Stars on Wednesday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
