Former AFC Leopards captain Eugene Mukangula has signed with Mathare United until the end of the season, the club has announced.Mukangula has been a free agent since parting ways with Shabana FC at the close of the 2023/24 season.He had joined the Kisii-based club from Leopards, where he served for four years, but struggled to find his footing at Tore Bobe due to limited playing time and recurring injuries.##NAJAVA_MECA_8736742##At Mathare United, the experienced midfielder reunites with his former coach, John Kamau, who first signed him while he was still in high school at Chavakali.”Mathare United is delighted to announce the signing of free agent Eugene Mukangula. The attacking midfielder, most recently with Shabana FC, has committed to the club for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.Mukangula, known for his vision and powerful left foot, reunites with head coach John Kamau, who first brought him to Thika United while he was still a student. He becomes our eighth signing of the current mid-season window. After spending four years at Thika, followed by another four at AFC Leopards and a brief stint with Shabana, we are thrilled to welcome him to Mathare United!” the club said in a statement.Benni McCarthy identifies his assistant coach head of Harambee Stars appointmentMukangula began his professional career at Thika United, making his Kenyan Premier League debut on August 15, 2015, against Bandari.He later moved to the AFC Leopards in 2018, where he made significant contributions and even captained the team.However, his time with the Leopards ended on a sour note in June 2023, when he was controversially stripped of the captaincy and released.Following his exit, he joined Shabana FC for the 2023/24 season but faced a difficult spell due to injuries and limited game time.##NAJAVA_MECA_8736617##By the time he regained full fitness, the club was locked in a tense promotion battle, making it difficult for him to break into the squad.”I was ready to pick up the pieces and start afresh at Shabana, but things didn’t go as planned. I started well, but injuries slowed me down and eventually cost me a place in the team. By the time I regained full fitness, the coach couldn’t take risks as the team was fighting for promotion,” he reflected in a past interview.Rising Stars’ winger confident of AFCON U20 success, eyes World Cup spotNow, he sees Mathare United as a fresh start. He has previously stated that he still has unfinished business in football, with dreams of winning the league, representing Harambee Stars, and playing in Europe.”I haven’t met my career expectations. I had hoped to play professional football, feature regularly for the national team, and win domestic trophies. However, I don’t see myself as a failure because I’ve always given my best,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8736679##Mukangula becomes Mathare’s eighth signing in the mid-season window, joining John Nyawir, Brian Ochieng, Peter Oudu, Ian Omondi, Donald Ange, Elvis Ronack, and Francis Kayugi.The club is also reportedly in the market for a prolific striker to strengthen its attack.
