Anthony Akumu has finally opened up on the disappointment of being left out of the 2019 squad that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.The Iranian-based defensive midfielder was among three players who had been left out of the final squad after a one-month training camp in France despite having been in top form then.’I see Mashemeji Derby being played outside the country’ fans reaction to Mashemeji Derby Postponement“I was scoring goals for Zesco United, something that is rare for a defensive midfielder. We had qualified for the Champions League and Confederations Cup multiple times and I was enjoying it all,” he explains.Akumu says he had already given himself a target of trying to get a bigger club by playing in the AFCON and it all crumbled when he was dropped.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511255##“I had a target for myself, that even if I got just 20 minutes to play at the Cup of Nations then I would use the opportunity to sell myself. I was going to look for a bigger club.It was therefore a big shock when then-coach Sebastian Migne told me that I was not in his plans. It was a very sad day for me but I never thought about quitting,” he said.Wanyama dreams of being Ronaldo’s teammate after ending Ksh233M CF Montreal contractThe former Gor Mahia midfielder however faced stiff competition from the then-captain Victor Wanyama and Dennis Odhiambo. Akumu credits his then club Zambian giants Zesco United for helping him to deal with the disappointment.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511254##“Immediately after I was dropped my then Zesco coach reached out to me, sympathized with my situation and offered me an opportunity to return to the club for the Absa Cup and to finish the league.I went back to Zambia one week later, we won our semi-final and final match in the Absa Cup as well as our remaining match of the season. That is what helped to cope with the disappointment.”Kenya U20 team set to play English Premier League side in two friendliesAkumu admits that he had an opportunity to discuss the matter with Migne and the matter has since been put to bed.“When playing for Kaizer Chiefs I met with Sebastian Migne while he was coaching Marumo Gallant FC in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and he apologized for having dropped me.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511254##He told me that I am a good player and always believed in my ability and explained that what happened in 2019 was beyond him. We hugged and that was the end of the matter.I did not take it personally and understood that in football these things happen. The most important thing is to rise up and keep moving every day.”
