Zambian international Francis Kasonde has joined Malaysia Premier League side, Sabah FA till the end of 2017 season as a replacement for the injured Igor Cerina.
The 2012 African Cup of Nations winner is no stranger to Asian football as he has played in Oman, Saudi Arabia and India before this latest Malaysian stint.
“I am delighted to sign with Sabah FA to experience Malaysian football. When my intermediary, Trebol Sports International informed me of the opportunity, I jumped on it without hesitation. They have been doing great work so far and I would also like to help Sabah FA maintain the good name they have established,” he said.
The 2016 Power Dynamos Player of the Year awardee is impressed with what he has seen at the Sang Badak (Rhinos) during the training sessions and is determined to put in his shift to help Sabah FA stave off relegation.
“I know that the standard of Southeast Asian football is improving by leaps and bounds. I will like to be part of this wave of development by giving Sabah FA whatever I can offer from my vast playing experiences previously in Africa, Europe and other parts of Asia. It is hard for me to draw comparisons between the standard of football I have previously played and the level that is played here. To me, football is generally the same everywhere and that is, we play to win. I am here to help the club do just that.”
The well decorated Zambian has won 13 titles and 2 individual accolades in his glittering career- with the most coveted one being the African Cup of Nations title when they shocked hot favourites, Ivory Coast with a penalty shootout victory. He hopes to inject the team with this winning mentality.
“From what I have observed, we actually possess many quality local players. Perhaps, they are mentally affected by the recent spate of results. I will help the management and coaching staff by encouraging and cajoling them that all is not lost and we just need to win at least 90% of the remaining games to steer clear of relegation trouble.”
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