K. TeyaKahata hurt by Thika United relagation and eventual disbandment
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 24.05.21. | 19:46
Thika United was relegated in 2018.
Simba SC midfielder Francis Kahata has admitted that he was affected when his former club Thika United got relegated from the Kenyan Premier League in 2018.
After several seasons of flirting with relegation, the team finally went down in 2018 and after a season in the second tier, they were relegated to Division One League before they eventually got disbanded marking the end of a team that was known for nurturing young players.
My favourite Thika United season will undoubtedly remain 2013
— Steve Ruigu Njuguna (@Joashnjuguna) June 9, 2019
We got to the top 8 final that year losing 5-3 on penalties to Tusker
Francis Kahata was scoring freekicks for fun,he curled one at Ruaraka against Tusker
Aswani,Kingatua,Miheso were on fire
Thanks for the memories ???? pic.twitter.com/8i9OhLI4rL
Qatar-based Michael Olunga is among those who turned out for Thika United before eventually going outside the country for his professional career. Others include Peter Opiyo who has since returned to Kenya to join City Stars, and US-based Crispin Olando. Others Thika United products in the FKF PL include; James Kinyanjui of Mathare United, Sofapaka duo of Kepha Aswani and David King’atua, Posta Rangers captain Suleiman Ngotho, KCB trio of Michael Mutinda, Dennis Odhiambo, and Baraka Badi. Gor Mahia’s Clifton Miheso also played for the now-defunct club.
Kahata, who also went through the club before leaving for FK Tirana in Albania says it pained him to see the club go down as it is a team that kick-started his football career.
“I felt bad when Thika United was relegated because this is a team that gave me a chance as a very young player Thika nurtured my talent and basically played a big role in who I am today,” he said in an interview with Safari Soccer Show.
James Kinyanjui. In this lad Thika United have another Francis Kahata in the making pic.twitter.com/IAutvzCFyG
— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) July 18, 2018
Kahata also feels that the demise of the once premier league outfit resulted in talents from the area going to waste but hopes that the club will reemerge or a new one formed so that it can give the players in the area exposure.
“For me, it was painful not only because it nurtured me but also I felt that many talents around my home area would go to waste because Thika gave unknown players a chance. I hope that they will come back someday or another team will emerge from that region,” he added.
Kahata is currently the patron of Division One side, Ruiru Hotstars.
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