A Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) panel tasked with, selecting the best performers in the 2018-2019 men’s top tier could not ignore the ten cleansheets Morgan Alube had kept in that campaign.Alube, was back then, attached to the defunct Chemelil Sugar and was shortlisted for the coveted award alongside: Kevin Omondi, Samuel Odhiambo, Faruk Shikhalo, Adisa Omar and Justin Ndikumana.Although he did not make to the podium that was graced by Shikhalo, Ndikumana Odhiambo, getting the recognition of the panel and being among the best goalkeepers in his maiden season in the top league was quite something.##NAJAVA_MECA_7251999##Shikhalo, was named the overall best goalkeeper in that campaign with Ndikumana and Odhiambo who has since retired and transitioned into coaching coming in second and third respectively.Alube’s career was clearly on an upward trajectory as he, had managed to keep ten cleansheets in half a season and subsequently, made it to the SJAK’s top five, for the goalkeeper of the season award.Ironically, Alube who is currently attached to National Super League side Vihiga United no longer plays as a goalkeeper but instead as a striker for the second-tier outfit.Omanyala confirmed for Florence Diamond League alongside Kerley, JacobsWhat might have forced the once promising goalkeeper to abandon the course to become the best shot stopper in the country and become a makeshift forward?Well, the agonizing quorum hitch at Vihiga engineered by the player transfer ban triggered Alube to ditch the gloves for goal poaching roles at the club that has twelve players at its disposal.Three out of the twelve players are goalkeepers meaning that, the club plays its league matches with just a substitute on the bench and further, a number of players are, played out of their preferred positions.Vihiga are unable to sign and register new players after their former player Junior Adeyefa reported the club to the world’s governing body FIFA over a breach of contract.Alube, has been playing as a forward from the time the 2022-2023 season kicked off and has three goals to show for this far in the campaign that is, nearing its business end.”Being played out of position has hampered my development as a goalkeeper. I was doing well as a custodian until it dawned on the club that there were no options other than, to make do with the available players due to the ban, ” he regretted.”I decided not to cry over spilt milk but, concentrate on helping the club complete the season,” he said.NSL: Murang’a Seal grab away win in Mombasa to cut down Shabana’s lead to six pointsAsked on how he finds the new role at the club, the former Kisumu Youth Olympic man conceded that it quite some task but his options were limited.“A forward runs a lot in a bid to keep the defenders busy and pounce on any opportunity to score. It is not easy for me as I am not accustomed it but I have to do it anyway since we do not have numbers in the team,” he opened up.This is not the first time the dreadlocked player has been deployed out of his favorite territory as he recounts playing as a centre back during his days at Palos.He also revealed that he often plays as a midfielder for his boyhood club whenever he is called upon in the off-season tournaments and training sessions.Masterstroke Tactics: How AFC Leopards outfoxed Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji DerbyAlube disclosed that his identity as a player became clear in 2015 when he, fell for goalkeeping.”I played as an outfield player before in tournaments, school games and in my early days in the profession. I feel I have a lot to chase as a goalkeeper and thus my decision to return to old stomping yard once the season ends,” he offered.Besides having to grapple with playing out of position, the former Silibwet goalkeeper admitted to have called it a day twice due to frustrations but, somehow found his way back to football.The former Timsales player said that he traded football for ‘Tuk Tuk’ driver and in the second occasion, he took a long leave to attend to his ailing wife.AFCON 2027: President Ruto throws weight behind EAC Pamoja Bid”I have seen it all in football. At some point, I quit to try my luck in business. I also had to ghost the game to take care of my spouse who was unwell for a while,” he highlighted.With the season nearing its completion, the former Griffins player hopes to not only return to his area of specialization but also make the long overdue move.He said that top flight clubs; Wazito, AFC Leopards and Kriobangi Sharks had previously expressed interest in his services as well as Mwatate United who ply trade in the second tier.
