Murang’a Seal goalkeeper Bonphas Munyasa aims to secure a spot in the national team, Harambee Stars, next season following his debut call-up to the squad during the recently concluded season.Munyasa showcased his talent during the last campaign with the Murang’a-based club, drawing the attention of Kenya head coach Engin Firat. Consequently, he earned a call-up to the provisional squad for the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in Malawi and was also included in the initial squad summoned for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June.However, he did not make it to the final list as he got stiff competition from national team regulars Ian Otieno, Patrick Matasi, and Byrne Odhiambo.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the 2021 National Super League (NSL) Goalkeeper of the Season then with APS Bomet stated that his experience with the national team has been invaluable. He emphasised the lessons learned, which he believes will significantly contribute to his development as a goalkeeper. He aims to return to the national team better prepared than in previous call ups.How cyberbullying forced KCB striker to deactivate social media accounts after Mozzart Bet Cup penalty missMunyasa’s journey to the top-flight was not all flowery; he faced rejection at some point in his career and almost went club-less in 2023 after parting ways with Kenya Police FC, who had earlier loaned him to Sofapaka.From the early rejections, he affirms that they helped grow his mentality as a shot-stopper as he took the Stars’ heartbreak as a motivational factor, and kept his head high with the hope of winning Firat’s trust once again.“The national team call-up was good to me, and it came as a surprise. I knew I was going to get a chance to train with the best at the national team, but it happened so fast considering where I was a few years ago,” he told Mozzart Sport.“Football is a challenging sport; we have difficulties at times, and the national team is not an exception. There are challenges that I went through, but they hardened me and seemed to prepare me for the future because I aim to be a regular at the Stars,” he added.Bonphas Munyasa in training as Harambee Stars continued preparations for the upcoming Four-Nations Tournament in Malawi. #MSealNaSportPesa || #ComeOnYouSeals pic.twitter.com/CC3R1QKqfS— Murang’a Seal (@murangaseal) March 17, 2024 “Currently, my focus is on achieving the set objective of playing a starring role for coach Engin Firat. I want to be the best and get that starting slot, but I can only do that if I have a great season, which I am preparing in all the best possible ways.”Just like any other footballer, the former APS Bomet man is keen on winning medals with the national team and at the club level.“I want to win trophies, but it will be more interesting to win with the Harambee Stars; that’s the focus at the moment,” he offered.’Bure kabisa’ – Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa lambastes Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno in bare-knuckle rantComparing club duties with the Harambee Stars, Munyasa said there is no huge difference in the way they conduct their training sessions, but at the national level, there are more expectations laid on a player.”No, there’s no huge difference, but at Stars, people have a lot of expectations about you, and you must just work hard to prove that,” added the former GFE 105 player.Munyasa is keen to play abroad. The goalkeeper revealed that he is eager to grow his goalkeeping career beyond Kenyan borders.Without revealing his preferred destinations, Munyasa insisted that he has kept his options wide open, though Mozzart Sport understands that he will not be turning out for the Murang’a team next season after putting pen to paper with a well-oiled club in the country.”My dream is to play abroad; I am open to changes in every part of the world as long as they offer growth opportunities,” he revealed.##NAJAVA_MECA_8213802##
