Africa-Press – Kenya. Simba SC’s Mohammed Bajaber/SIMBA SCSimba SC’s Mohammed Bajaber has vowed to repay the faith shown in him after earning a recall to the Harambee Stars squad, marking a significant step in his recovery from a difficult year disrupted by injuries.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder made his return to the national team fold for the March 2026 FIFA Series after nearly a year in the shadows, a spell he admits stretched him to his limits physically and mentally.
“This is a huge chance for me,” Bajaber said. “A chance to make things right, to rediscover myself as a player and come back stronger both physically and mentally.”
Bajaber conceded that the past year has been one of the toughest and most unforgiving phases of his young career. “That is football,” he said. “A sport of extremes—you rise to great heights, only for life to pull you back down, and you have to start all over again.”
The foundation of his journey was laid in Nairobi at Premier Academy, where he pursued his education alongside an increasing passion for football, shaped significantly by a family environment that prioritised academic excellence in his early years.
“My family valued education above everything,” he said. “I had to earn trust in the classroom before I could fully step onto the pitch.”
While still in school, Bajaber wore the captain’s armband with quiet authority, his leadership already echoing beyond his years. Those early moments of command on the pitch became the foundation of his character.
From there, his journey led him to Starfield Academy, where his raw talent was carefully refined. It was a place where discipline met ambition, and from its structured training grounds, doors began to open—eventually carrying him beyond borders, including trials in Denmark, where new horizons tested his growing promise.
It was at Starfield Academy that his journey deepened, where a Physical Education teacher stepped into his story and altered its course. More than a coach, he became a guiding hand through uncertainty, nurturing both talent and belief. What began as simple school guidance grew into something far more profound—a steady hand that nurtured belief where doubt once lived
“That coach changed everything for me,” he said, reflecting on the teacher. who quietly reshaped the direction of his journey. He made me believe this dream was possible,” he added, the weight of that influence still evident in his voice.
His professional breakthrough arrived at Nairobi City Stars, where he began to shape himself with patience and purpose, growing steadily with each passing season. It was a period of quiet construction, where potential slowly matured into presence.
That foundation later carried him into a decisive chapter at Kenya Police FC in 2025—a move that elevated his career to new heights. There, he flourished, playing with authority and rhythm as he became central to the club’s title-winning charge, his influence written across a defining campaign.
“I felt unstoppable at that moment,” he said. “Everything I touched seemed to work.”
His performances soon began to echo beyond Kenya’s borders, drawing attention from regional heavyweights and ultimately earning him a move to Tanzanian giants Simba SC. It was a step that promised elevation on a bigger stage, a chance to test himself among the continent’s elite.
Yet just as momentum seemed to gather, his journey was interrupted—his time at Simba heavily disrupted by a persistent run of injuries that stalled his rhythm and dimmed his rising arc.
“It was one of the hardest periods of my life,” Bajaber said. “You train, you push yourself, but your body just refuses to respond.”
He unforgettably announced himself, marking his debut with a goal from his very first touch—a moment that hinted at promise and possibility. Yet football’s rhythm soon shifted against him, as recurring injuries curtailed his momentum and steadily limited his presence on the pitch.
“I scored with my first touch, and I thought maybe this is it,” he said. “But the injuries came back again, and it was frustrating.”
Despite his struggles at the club level, Bajaber has retained the confidence of Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, who defended his decision to include the player in the squad.
McCarthy described Bajaber as an important part of his long-term plans for the national team. “He is an exceptional talent,” the coach said. “We know what he can do, and we will stand by him.”
The South African tactician spoke with conviction, making it clear that Bajaber’s journey within the team is far from complete. In his assessment, the midfielder remains woven into the club’s long-term vision—an integral thread in a project still unfolding, with faith firmly placed in what lies ahead.
“He is part of our future,” McCarthy said. “We are building something, and he is in that picture.”
Bajaber, who lit up his national team debut with a brilliant goal against Gambia in 2025, said he remains grateful for the chance to return to the setup.
In the recent FIFA Series matches, Bajaber featured off the bench as he continues to rebuild match fitness. The midfielder stressed his commitment to the national team, saying he is focused on regaining full fitness and returning to contribute at his best.
“I want to give my all for the nation,” Bajaber said. “That is the most important thing for me right now.”
“I have to repay the trust the coach has shown in me,” he said. “That is something I take seriously.”
