Harambee Stars forward Masoud Juma officially unveiled at Pitso Mosimane-coached Iranian side following 11-month injury lay-off

Harambee Stars forward Masoud Juma officially unveiled at Pitso Mosimane-coached Iranian side following 11-month injury lay-off

Mark Kinyanjui 11:22 - 09.12.2024

Juma, who has previously worked under former Manchester United boss Benni McCarthy at Capetown City, will now be working under another South African legend Pitso Mosimane for Iran's oldest club.

Kenyan forward Masoud Juma has officially signed with Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal FC on a seven-month contract set to expire on June 30, 2025. Esteghlal is currently managed by renowned South African coach Pitso Mosimane, who recently took over the helm at the Tehran-based club.

The move marks a significant milestone for the 28-year-old striker, who has been a free agent for nearly five months.

Juma was officially announced as a new signing on December 8 following his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that derailed his tenure at Saudi Arabia's Al Jabalain. 

The injury, sustained in January this year, sidelined him for months, contributing to the conclusion of his one-year contract with the Saudi First Division League side.

Juma had been focused on regaining fitness, training with Kenya's national team, Harambee Stars, in October ahead of their AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon. He was also spotted training with his former club, Kariobangi Sharks, signaling his readiness for a return to competitive football.

Esteghlal FC, founded in 1945, is Iran's oldest professional football club and one of its most successful. The Tehran giants boast an impressive trophy cabinet with 38 titles spanning provincial, national, and continental competitions. 

Esteghlal plays its home matches at the iconic 78,000-seater Azadi Stadium and is currently competing in both the league—where they sit 10th after 10 games—and the AFC Champions League.

Juma’s arrival at Esteghlal adds to the club’s attacking options under Mosimane, who joined the team on October 18, 2024, after a stint with Saudi Arabia's Abha. Mosimane, a highly respected tactician, brings his wealth of experience, having previously managed clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, guiding them to continental success.

Juma's career path has been one of resilience and adventure. From his early days at Kariobangi Sharks, the Kenyan striker has played across multiple countries, including South Africa (Cape Town City), Algeria (JS Kabylie), the United Arab Emirates (Dibba Al-Fujairah), Libya (Al-Nasr Benghazi), and Morocco (Difaa El Jadida). Despite setbacks, he has continuously sought opportunities to make his mark on the global stage.

As Esteghlal prepares to host Mes Kerman on Wednesday, it remains uncertain if Juma will be included in the squad, given potential match fitness concerns. However, his signing is a clear testament to his determination to bounce back and contribute to his new club’s ambitions.

Masoud Juma now joins Anthony Akumu as one of two Kenyans actively competing in the Iranian top flight, underlining the growing presence of Kenyan talent in global football. With Esteghlal's rich history and Mosimane's tactical acumen, Juma has a prime opportunity to rejuvenate his career at the highest level.