Former Ulinzi Stars central defender Omar Mwandaru Swaleh has opened up since leaving the military outfit for a stint in the Somali Premier League (SPL) with Jeenyo FC.Mwandaru was one of the shining lights at Fortune Sacco and Shabana FC having come through the youth ranks of Bandari FC and was set for a stint in the Kenya Premier League with APS Bomet in 2022 before the season was nullified.He moved to Somalia during the January transfer window.Somali Premier League side Jeenyo FC have officially unveiled former Ulinzi Stars defender Omar Swaleh. Jeenyo gets the season underway on Sunday against Sahafi FC. #FootballKE pic.twitter.com/0p9zR7eiRb— Brian Odhiambo (@Odhiambo_Brian1) February 2, 2024 In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Swaleh said hunger for game time was what motivated him to make the move with hopes it will be a stepping stone to his career.“I moved to Somalia because I felt I needed more time to better my career,” offered the former SS Assad defender.“When I signed for Ulinzi I had high hopes there because they were giving me a chance to play in the FKF Premier League which was a dream come true, but things never worked out the way we/I wanted, I felt I was doing well in training sessions and deserved some minutes,” continues Omar.The seasoned center-back in the lower-tier leagues goes on to say, “Despite getting everything correctly I was never handed even an appearance as a substitute, I am a footballer, not a maize vendor or a shoe shiner I need playing time to advance in the career.”Harambee Stars take on Malawi in Four-Nation Tournament openerThe lanky defender added, “Even if I am getting paid 1000 dollars or much but I am not going to play then there’s no need to stay and kill a profile I have struggled to build over the years through hardships and when Somali came knocking, I had no second thoughts but to jump on the jet and rack some minutes under my belt.”Omar was quick to dispute the narrative that hunger for money took him to the Horn of Africa noting that, the amount offered in the league is not enough for a foreigner.“I never moved because of money, ‘pesa hata Kenya zipo’ (there’s money even in Kenya) what is been offered here is not enough for a foreigner, leaving Kenya for less than Ksh 50,000? No, my move was purely football-instigated,” he told Mozzart Sport.FKF Women’s Cup: Vihiga, Police target quarters slotsSwaleh however, admits that there is a huge difference in terms of investment in the once war-torn country compared to Kenya with most of the Somalis using football as a uniting factor in efforts to restore peace in the far eastern nation.“Somali clubs have invested well in players and pay in time,” he said.The ex-Assad defender adds that he also wanted to taste the feeling of playing abroad and hoped that it would open more opportunities for him, as he looks to continue with his footballing journey in Kenya once the contract expires in June with Jeenyo.“I also wanted to experience playing abroad. I hope that the move will open more opportunities for me,” asserted Mwandaru##NAJAVA_MECA_7975997##At Jeenyo he juggles along a familiar foe in Ivorian Frank Ouya, with whom they spent time together at Shabana.
