Timbe thankful of Beijing Renhe during knee injury

Source: Xinhua| 2019-06-11 22:04:38|Editor: Xiaoxia
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NAIROBI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Renhe winger Ayub Timbe has thanked his club for believing in him and allowing him to undergo surgery to remedy a nagging knee injury that had threatened his career.

The 26-year-old, who plays in the Chinese Super League, has overcome serious medical challenges and made the cut to be named in the final of the Harambee Stars 23-member team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in Egypt on June 21.

"Injuries are part of the game and when mine came, I had to look at the calendar and see what is there for me. Beijing Renhe had best facilities to help me go through the surgeon's knife. The team facilities are good and it made it easier for me to go through the rehabilitation.

"That is what is missing in the Kenyan Premier League," Timbe said on Tuesday.

Timbe however, believes this is a dream come true for him to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Timbe, like majority of his colleagues, will be debuting at the continent's biggest football competition with Kenya returning to the AFCON for the first time in 15 years.

"I had to meet the coach about my recuperation and preparations for the AFCON. I met coach Sebastian Migne back in March and prepared for the tournament starting five months ago. I feel proud and lucky to have made the team. This is something I will tell people that I was there through the journey," said Timbe.

The winger says he is not 100 percent ready for the tournament, but has pledged to be at his peak by the time Kenya kick off the ball against Algeria on June 23 in Cairo.

"I am just from injury and right now am still working to be fitter than I am at the moment. I must work hard to improve and be better," he said.

"Kenya is good in defense and attacking and I have to try and change the game plan. I will do my best and add more pressure in the attacking area. Our previous attacking was good, but we need to do more in AFCON," said Timbe.

The performance at the AFCON will be a new chapter in the entire playing team and for Kenya and Timbe believes Kenya and Tanzania are seen as the underdogs in Group C, which also has Senegal and Algeria.

"Tanzania feels they can beat us and we feel we can beat them. Then we have the two other teams. Kenya is strong and we can beat even Portugal," said Timbe.

The winger said the mentality within the playing team is good and will propel them forward. "We need all the support and for sure we will do this together as a country," said Timbe.

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