Gravins Juma never saw the end of his team- Kisumu All Stars’ contest against Kajiado FC last season. Having just turned twenty, the promising forward had suffered an ankle challenge that would not only rule him out of the tie but also end the season, effectively, for him. Several months later, he is intent on making a comeback, the hardest part of the process he says.”Staying out of action has its downsides, be it from struggling to stay in shape to not being able to do what you love: Play,” says the now 21-year-old forward.How coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor was arrested amidst financial dispute with FKFComebacks from such injuries can be unforgiving sometimes as recent history has proven in our local footballing circles. When well tended, however, medically- a new lease of life could be bought, and Juma believes he has patiently waited on his purchase, not to mention the fact that youth too stays on his side.”I have waited this long because I wanted to heal properly rather than jump right back prematurely and further worsen the injury. Our team doctor says I am one hundred percent now and what remains is fighting for a slot in the coach’s plans,” continues the former St Ignatius Magadi School forward.Kisumu All Stars, despite a favourable start to the 2023/24 National Super League (NSL) season, have seen their returns dwindle and their recent back-to-back losses to Rainbow FC at home and SS Assad spell out just how much work coach Bruno’s men have to work in the second leg. This is of course if they still harbour any hopes of returning to the top-flight FKF Premier League.For Juma, once a starting place is secured, has plans regarding this.Nzoia’s Murunga confident of second leg turnaround”The goal is to first start by garnering the minutes and with these I believe the goals will come for me. We cannot win matches without goals and that’s what I intend to do. Returning to the Premiership is a vision the whole team shares and if I can be of aid towards achieving that, then I’ll consider my return a proper success,” adds Juma who once was in the books of Kariobangi Sharks while still in high school.He very well could have had his premier league bow in his final high school year had the national exams not got in the way. Many chances would come his way, his mother assured him as he implored the lad to sit tight in school and see through his exams first.”I was training with Sharks during the holidays but it was my final year and I needed to focus so professional football had to give way first. I still stay hopeful of playing at the top though,’’ says Juma.##NAJAVA_MECA_7805357##Otenga, as the locals fondly refer to All-Stars, lie fifth place in the 20-team NSL log and have themselves a proper test this weekend as joint log leaders Mathare United FC make their way into town.United and Naivas FC lead the other 18 teams with 36 points with the latter having the pleasure of occupying pole position on goal difference. Currently captained by the duo of Frederick Omollo and Steve Brian, All Stars are 9 points below and sixth on the log.
