The promising Mathare United midfielder missed a crucial trial that could have altered his career path in England. Mathare United’s midfielder, Christine Lubulu, has revealed a poignant tale of how an outstanding chance to join the English Premier League team, Crystal Palace, eluded him.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and having demonstrated his potential at the Ligi Ndogo Academy in Nairobi, Lubulu was on the verge of international fame when destiny played a most unfortunate hand. In 2011, Lubulu and his academy teammates were invited to England for a KIM tournament, an event that would unknowingly pave the way for a possible career in one of the most esteemed football leagues globally.
Noticed by a scout during the tournament, Lubulu was chosen for trials at various clubs, beginning with Crystal Palace, where he had the opportunity to join their renowned academy. “Chris Amimo (Ligi Ndogo chairman) arranged our trials with Crystal Palace. We were two Kenyans, new to the UK, supposed to attend trials on a Saturday. Left to our own devices, we struggled to locate the venue and couldn’t make the right connections,” Lubulu shared on the Tiki Taka Show. “The trials were supposed to start at 11 am, but we arrived hours late only to discover they had already started. The officials said we couldn’t participate because we were late. Devastated, we realized we had missed a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” he continued, expressing the heartbreak of the moment.
Despite this hurdle, Lubulu’s career didn’t come to a halt; he continued to play for notable Kenyan teams like Kibera Black Stars and Sofapaka before settling at Mathare United. Lubulu has emerged as one of the key players at Mathare United, playing a vital role in their efforts to secure promotion back to the FKF Premier League.
Currently, the “Slum Boys” are in second place in the National Super League, accumulating 43 points from 20 matches this season.
