A SUNDAY league footballer has enjoyed a taste of the professional game — in Kazakhstan.
Isima Musa, 24, was once on Wycombe Wanderers’ books but was released at 18 and feared his dreams were over.
Now Isima has gone from parks football to the elite level — turning out for FC Kyzylzhar.
He was invited to play for the Kazakhstan Premier League side in a pre-season game after impressing in training.
Isima, from Farringdon, Central London, said: “I played the second half and got an assist.
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“We lost 4-1. But I was just happy to be on a professional pitch getting minutes.
“I’m excited for the opportunities now.”
Isima, who also got a surprise call-up to the Rwanda under-23 squad in 2021, is looking for a team back in the UK.
Isima trained for a month-and-a-half before being given 45 minutes in a game earlier this month.
He said: "I was out there for pre-season.
“I played one game, against a Romanian team.
"My agent's connections sorted it out.
“The club was looking for a forward.
“I was out there for a month and everything was all paid for - travel, food and accommodation.
"I couldn't stay as there was an issue with the visa.
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“But, for my own journey, just being on the pitch - it was a blessing.
“I'm excited for the opportunities now."
Kazakhstan, the home country of the fictional Borat Sagdiyev, adopted Sacha Baron Cohen's brash, moustachioed character’s catchphrase – “Very nice!” – for a new tourism campaign.
But Isima, now back in the UK and on the hunt for another team, loves the country.