Tusker FC striker Ibrahim Joshua came out to explain how the club changed his fortune since joining in August 2021.
During an interview with Tusker FC, the Tanzania international was quick to highlight how life has changed for him since arriving in Kenya.
Ibrahim’s football journey has been full of ups and downs having been a mechanic at a garage in Tanzania.
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“I went to school till the form four-level, after I missed a chance to continue with school. After completing form four my father was against football and we used to have a conflict as he wanted me to study and I wanted football.
“After form four my father took me to my grandfather's garage where I worked as a mechanic. At the garage, once you enter in the morning one was not allowed to leave until evening but because of the love I had for football I used to leave every time for football practice.
“My uncles used to report to my father, that I was not working at the garage. It reached a point where I talked to my family to explain my love for football as I asked for permission to follow my dream. My father told me to do whatever I saw fit,” Ibrahim stated.
Ibrahim played professional football for the first time when went for a trial at Tanzania Prison in the country's Premier league joining the under 20s.
He was later approached by a friend who was selling second-hand clothes and was convinced to move to Mbeya City where he officially began his football career.
“At Mbeya City, I played for almost a year with the under 20s before being signed officially. I played for close to six months before we were taken to Zambia Division one. Life there was a bit hard and after six months we talked to the officials who had taken us there to explain our situation.
“One official was sent to check on our complaints, when he saw what we were going through he was not pleased with what he saw. We then went together with the official to the rest officials and after about one week we went back to Tanzania,” he added.
After returning to Tanzania, he had a chance to join an established club but only for training purposes before joining the main team though not as a striker but as a winger playing for close to one and a half years.
Ibrahim later joined Dar City where he played for a full season. He was, however, forced to get back home after struggling financially.
“During my time at home a certain coach I knew approached me and informed me of some trials. I raised enough fare and left without knowing how I would get back.
“After a week I called the coach and informed him that there was nothing positive about the trials. The coach, however, told him that he was about to be given a contract.
“We talked with the club and I was given a contract. I played for the club as a winger for two seasons before I departed and joined Ken Gold for a season,” he added
Ibrahim also noted that he was later approached by a friend of one of Tusker FC's former players who requested to help him find a club.
"He told me to prepare all my travel documents as my transport costs would be taken care of by Tusker FC. I was in communication with the Team Manager. He called to inform me that they were sending my fare for the trials. I traveled to Kenya and was eventually signed by Tusker.
“After joining Tusker my life changed, at home people are seeing their son is well. Now we are talking with my father freely. Without a doubt, I'm happy at Tusker.
“I was welcomed well at Tusker; the environment was good. As a footballer one checks on the environment available.
“Since I joined Tusker, my father watches the matches I play, something he did not do before and also now he contacts me through video calls only,” he noted.
Joshua was Tusker’s top scorer in his maiden season in Kenya in the FKF Premier League, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 29 matches that he featured in.