Journeyman Namanda keen on top flight return after Mozzart Bet cup exit
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 19.04.26. | 11:24
His experience includes winning the Premier league with Tusker during the first of his two spells there, dipping his toes in the Rwandese top league for two seasons and earning a national team call up
Kuta Collection FC offers non-contracted players from all the Kenyan divisions a chance to train, play and network with each other while biding their time, waiting for professional opportunities to come by.
Founded by former Kisumu Hot Stars midfielder Augustine Kuta, the club’s recent exploits had them register, for the first time, for the 2025/26 Mozzart Bet Cup, and it’s fair to say that for a makeshift outfit with no sponsor, their run was indeed commendable.
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Steered by former Kenyan international Wilson Oburu at the touchline, the side made it to the last 32, bowing out bravely to premier league side Shabana FC by a solitary goal in the round of 16. In its ranks, the side boasts such names as Mustapha Oduor, Ibrahim Mao, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Boaz Maeri, Erick Otieno and Luke Namanda- all of them with premiership experience.
Namanda, more recently with Tusker FC, says the club offers a convenient home for players who suddenly find themselves out of contact with their professional outfits or- in some cases, out of favour.
‘’There are many of us here who are still active professionally only that we do not have running contracts with our previous employers and we need to keep fit as football is a job for us,’’ says the man with over a decade of premier league football under his belt.
Namanda started out in Nzoia Sugar FC as a teenager, playing five seasons in the second tier before helping the then Bernard Mwalala-coached side gain promotion to the premier league. He would only play one season in the top flight before neighbours Kakamega Homeboyz lured him to Bukhungu.
Between then and now, he has won the league with Tusker during the first of his two spells there, dipped his toes in the Rwandese premier league for two seasons and earned a national team call up. He is, however, not done yet and eyes a professional return- wherever the bell will toll.
‘’I believe I still have plenty to offer and the time I’ve taken out in the second leg of the season gives me a chance to restrategize and bounce back when the transfer window opens at the end of the season,’’ adds Namanda, who spent two seasons with Musanze in Rwanda.
The former AFC Leopards marksman, famed for his incredible assist record whenever fielded, says of their Mozzart Bet Cup run, that they were just unfortunate to allow their opponents score early. It’s a match he believes they would have, even if, laboriously, won against Shabana. But it's water under the bridge now.
‘’Not to give excuses but the mistake we made was to allow them score early. We matched them the entire match, had our own chances but were unlucky in converting them. Obviously they are a good side, a premier league team but compared to us we may have premier league experience but we come from different clubs and don’t train together consistently,’’ he continues.
Kuta Collection had survived a round of 64 scare when FKF division one side Al Azizia held on for dear life forcing them to a 2-2 draw. The experienced Kuta side sailed through on penalties. KSG Ogopa were up next and they were taken down 1-0. Shabana in round of 16 would be the end of the road.
For Namanda, he insists there’s still more gas in the tank and even though staying coy on revealing if any of the clubs have approached him for a possible stint next season, the man who has only featured for the top clubs in the country believes fans will see a lot of him next season.
‘’Of course there are clubs my representatives are talking to presently but that will only come out clearly when they come to an agreement. But I do know that I will be back next season,’’ he concludes.
