Kenya Football .:. Story - Afc Leopards Imbalabala-sky Is The Limit (profile)

AFC Leopards coach Chris Makhoka has praised young towering stopper Martin”'Korea” Imbalabala as one of the best upcoming stopper's in the country going by his current form.

Korea was arguably the hottest property few weeks ago when leopards demolished Ethiopia Banks 3-1 during the first leg of the Africa Confederation Cup staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.
“Imbalabala is meant to have a bright future with our club. He is the kind of player that can score, dribble and there is more to come from him. He is settling pretty well. He did a good job and covered a lot of ground. We used him to close the midfield and he did his job well.He is very young and we want to help him build physical strength.” Makhoka said

The youthful towering player has vowed to steer his new club to greater heights and prove to doubting Thomases that youth maturity can work wonders over experience.

The 19 year old towering stopper admitted that he has played tough matches especially Kenya secondary schools championship in Western Province that involve speedy and faster players than the one he mingles with in the Kenya Premier League(KPL) who are a bit slow.

:I do miss Kenya secondary schools football soccer championship.Teams like Musingu , Kakamega High, Chavakali Boys, Khamis Boys from Coast and Nairobi's Kamukunji High are the cradle of football in the country.The kind of football displayed in the schools Championship is far superior than what we see in the Kenya Premier League.Those boys play football with passion and grit.In the KPL, you find a player is not committed since he has many domestic problems surrounding him coupled with financial hiccups” he noted.

Imbalabala who is an orphan promised to steer the club to greater heights .He called upon club supporters to rally behind the team adding that their support and motivation will encourage them to win more matches.He said the current Leopards squad has a bright future adding that given more support, the sky will be the limit for the youthful side.

Imbalabala nicknamed Korea by his ardent supporters in Vihiga District has special praise for his former principal at Vihiga High ,Kahi Indimuli who sponsored his four years education since he has no parents.

The 19years old stopper said ”I lost my two parents Moses Mudangi and Penina Mwikali way back in 2004.They passed away within a space of two days that left me more devastated. My grandfather took care of me and through my brother Stephen Mugweru, I plunged into football business where I featured for my school team.Personally, I promise Leopards supporters great achievement and good tidings”Observed Korea.

He scored two brilliant goals for Ingwe against Ethiopia Banks last month to knock doors of recognition. The former form four student from Vihiga High school remained non committal on future plans after receiving his KCSE results last week which he described as 'Encouraging”.
Owing to his sterling performance, the player received Shs.10,000 after scoring two brilliant goals while Nigerian import Ekene Umekwe who scored the third goal against Ethiopia Banks was handed Shs.5,000 from Gor Mahia staunch supporter John Ogutu.few weeks ago.

The towering defender's sterling performance earned him a slot in the Harambee Stars squad last week .Team Manager Edward Odour described Imbalabala as the next 'Musa Otieno”in the waiting adding that the youthful player has a bright future.

Though his team was bundled out of the Caf Confederation Cup by Ethiopia Banks, Korea believes the current youthful players dotting the team learned a great lesson.'You know sometimes you pick more lessons when you lose than when you win.It was a learning experience for most of us and given more time, the sky is the limit for us”Averred Imbalabala.

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