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The Kenya international arrived in Amakhosi in early 2020 but was unable to make an immediate impact.
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu says injuries and difficulties adjusting to the team’s style of play slowed his start at Naturena.
The defensive midfielder was a January signing signed by former Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp from Zesco United of Zambia.
But the Kenyan did not immediately make it to the Chiefs team and made just 10 Premier Soccer League (PSL) appearances in total.
“I joined the team with an injury and it was not easy to get into the team as I was still recovering,” Akumu said according to Nation Media.
“When the league resumed after the lockout I started to have playing time, but it was still not easy to adjust. I learned quickly and now I know what is expected of me.
“I have adapted to his style of play and I hope to pick up where I left off when the new season begins. We have started the preseason training and now I am completely settled in the team ”.
Akumu was facing the competition to start especially from Willard Katsande and it remains to be seen if he would be part of new coach Gavin Hunt’s future plans.
While he has had to deal with the fight to gain playing time in Chiefs, that has also been the same situation in the Kenyan national team.
His biggest competitor on the Harambee squad has been former Tottenham Hotspur star Victor Wanyama, who has been difficult to dislodge from the starting XI and is the current captain of the Harambee Stars.
But Akumu started in Friday’s international friendly match against Zambia in the absence of Canada-based Wanyama, who was unable to travel for the match due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
The Chiefs man lasted the entire game as Kenya won 2-1 in a game played at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
