The South Sudanese U20 team punched above its weight in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations after reaching the quarter-final in their first appearance in the tournament.Interestingly, the team scored just two goals in the tournament, which was held in Egypt.The two crucial goals were scored by Paul ‘Messi’ Jawa who plies his trade with Kenyan outfit Rainbow FC, which participates in the Division One league.##NAJAVA_MECA_7098861##Jawa’s eye for the goal, as displayed in the tournament, has procured him a call-up to the senior team that is gearing up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double against Congo Brazzaville this month.While all the other rookies returned to their respective clubs, Jawa was invited to train with the locally based-senior team players ahead of the international break.“I was incorporated into the senior team as soon as we landed from Egypt. I honestly didn’t see it coming at all. I will try my best and make the cut, and if possible get some minutes in the qualifiers,” he revealed.Matasi indebted to Tusker for offering him platform to resuscitate careerBesides securing a call-up to the senior team, Jawa disclosed that five European clubs had contacted his agency hoping to secure his signature. The youngster, said, his performance in Egypt had attracted interest from clubs in France, Turkey, Sweden, Germany, and in the United Kingdom.“My agent has been contacted by European-based clubs. I am glad that, I announced myself to the world in the tournament and the efforts I put in are starting to bear fruit,” he opened up.Jawa arrived in Kenya in 2017 for his secondary school studies. He joined Korogocho Youth, an outfit he played for up to last year before crossing to Rainbow FC.Brian Mandela features in Mamelodi Sundowns record-breaking emphatic winHe considers Kenya his second home having lived in Nairobi for more than five years.“I always feel at home when I am in Nairobi. I have learned a lot and grown in leaps and bounds in as far as playing football is concerned thanks to the Kenyan people. I can comfortably express myself in Kiswahili thanks to the years I have lived and studied in Nairobi,” he added.
