Isma Watenga: Chippa United Sign Former Sofapaka Goalkeeper

South Africa Premier Soccer League side Chippa United have completed the signing of former Sofapaka FC (Kenya) goalkeeper Isma Watenga.

The custodian has been a free agent since parting ways with Batoto ba Mungu a couple of months ago. The Ugandan shot-stopper has been brought after the surprise departure of Veli Mothwa.

Mothwa left the Chilli Boys in November and joined the club’s rivals in the DStv Premiership Amazulu.

Watenga will serve as a back-up to Cameroonian Patrick Tignyemb, who was the number one at the time and went on to finish the 2019/20 season with 11 clean sheets from 19 matches.

“Uganda national goalkeeper, Isima Watenga, has officially signed for Chippa United and is available with immediate effect,” the Chilli Boys tweeted.

“The 25-year-old joins from Sofapaka F.C (Kenya) having signed a 19-month-contract with the club and is already training with the team in Port Elizabeth.”

Watenga had a training stint with Mamelodi Sundowns where he had been recommended to the technical team by the seven-time league winner, Denniss Onyango.

However, he failed to impress the new-look technical team of Manqoba Mngqithi, Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela.

Watenga previously played for Ethiopia Buna FC before joining Sofapaka where he was dropped in January after club owner Elly Kalekwa believed some players were involved in throwing away games.