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Masoud Juma has explained what went wrong during tulmtuous spell for South African outfit Cape Town City i
Harambee Stars forward Masoud Juma has opened up about the challenges he faced during his brief stint with South African Premier Soccer League side Cape Town City in 2018.
Despite his stellar performance in the FKF Premier League, where he netted 23 goals for Kariobangi Sharks during the 2017 season, Juma’s move to South Africa turned out to be a tumultuous chapter in his career.
Juma joined Cape Town City under the tutelage of then-head coach Benni McCarthy, a former Manchester United assistant manager.
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Masoud Juma may now be one of Harambee Stars' most important players and also plays for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Jabalain, but his journey to the top was not the easiest.
However, his transition to the PSL was far from smooth. Speaking on Buzz Sports, Juma recalled the injury he suffered during the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Kenya’s victory despite tearing his ligaments during their clash with Libya.
“We won CECAFA, but I got injured during the second game against Libya,” Juma shared. “I tore my ligaments, but for the final, I scored a goal to salvage a draw before we won on penalties. That injury, however, got worse.”
The injury meant that Juma was unable to make his debut for Cape Town City until March, four months into the season. Although he managed to score once in eight appearances, regaining form proved to be an uphill battle.
South African clubs are limited to registering five foreign players per season, and Cape Town City’s acquisition of a foreign goalkeeper during the off-season left Juma surplus to requirements. The club planned to loan him to an Egyptian side, but the move was derailed due to what Juma described as an agent’s negligence.
“They wanted to send me on loan to a side in Egypt,” Juma explained. “The contract was signed, tickets were ready—it was just about authorising the transfer. But my agent, who I no longer trust, went off at the last minute. The transfer didn’t go through, and the club had to terminate my contract.”
Juma revealed his heartbreak over the situation, adding, “There was a disagreement, and everyone was mad at the club for letting me go like that. The president said it wasn’t my fault and promised to pay up my contract, which he did. But by then, my time there was over.”
Following his contract termination, Juma returned to Kenya, a period he described as deeply isolating.
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He said the trio can save Kenyan football from the mediocrity shown by the foreign coaches and their proven track record is admirable.
“Returning to Isiolo was also a problem because people assumed I had failed. I wasn’t on good terms with the media, so I avoided interviews. I stayed quiet and trained with Kariobangi Sharks to regain my fitness.”
Juma was fortunate enough to earn a move to Dubai for Dibba Al Fujairah, where he netted four goals in 10 games, before a stint in Libya where he was unable to play, but he did get a move to Algerian outfit JS Kabilye, as well as another of Morrocan outfit Diffa.
Juma’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale for athletes navigating the challenges of professional football. Reflecting on his experience, he emphasised the importance of injury management, trusting the right people, and maintaining resilience in the face of adversity.
While his Cape Town City spell may have ended in disappointment, Juma’s determination to rebuild his career continues to inspire, demonstrating that setbacks can pave the way for new beginnings.
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