Ayub Timbe savours award after starring for Nanjing City

Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe has expressed his delight after being named Man of the Match for Nanjing City FC following their goalless draw at home to Guangxi Pingguo Haliao in the Chinese second division on Saturday.

Timbe started the match but was taken off at half time as his side extended their unbeaten run to seven games to remain third on the 16-team table with 24 points from 13 matches, four behind Saturday’s opponents Guangxi Pingguo Haliao, who occupy the top spot.

The 30-year-old played on the left for Nanjing, who went with a 4-4-2 formation against the log leaders, in a bid to nullify their threat and were rewarded with the point.

While he was on the pitch for just 45 minutes, he still outshone everyone to be awarded the coveted prize which will serve as further motivation for his campaign as he seeks to help the club get promoted to the Chinese Super League.

Timbe, who is known for his lung-bursting runs and dribbles on the wing, is enjoying a renaissance in China where he has become an integral member of the squad and scored his maiden goal for the club during their 2-1 victory over Jinan Xingzhou last week.

Saturday’s encounter was Timbe’s 13th straight appearance for Nanjing, three of them as a substitute.

Timbe joined the club on a two-year deal at the end of March this year having been club less since December 2022 after being released by Thai top-flight side Buriram United.

He was returning to China where he featured previously for Beijing Renhe, HLJ Lava Spring, and BJ Chengfeng between 2018 and 2020 in between a loan spell at English Championship side Reading FC.

Founded nine years ago, Nanjing City is based in the Chinese city of Nanjing and was previously known as Nanjing Fengfan before changing to its current name in 2021.

They finished eighth with 50 points from 34 games last season but their good start this campaign will encourage them to push for promotion given only the top two will earn the ticket.