Ayub Timbe Masika (; born 10 September 1992) is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Crossing Schaerbeek.
Club career
Early career Masika was born on 10 September 1992 in Pumwani, an estate in Nairobi, Kenya.
He moved through several academies in Kenya, including that of Ligi Ndogo, before moving to the Anderlecht Academy from the JMJ Youth Academy in 2006 at the age of 13, where he stayed for two years before moving to the Beerschot A.C. (then Germinal Beerschot) academy in 2008.
Genk In May 2010, Masika signed a two-year deal with Genk from Germinal Beerschot. He played for the club's reserve team until he signed a new 4-year contract with the club in June 2011. He made his debut for the club when he came on in the 82nd minute for Nadson in a 1–1 draw against Zulte Waregem on 15 January 2012. He got his first assist for the club on his second appearance during their 5–0 win over Oud-Heverlee Leuven on 29 January 2012 when he delivered the ball to Christian Benteke for the fifth goal of the match. He scored his first goal for Genk in their 2–0 UEFA Europa League play-off round win against Swiss opponents FC Luzern, in the 88th minute, on 30 August 2012 at the Cristal Arena.
Lierse On 1 September 2014, Masika was loaned Lierse from Genk for two seasons, with an option to buy at the end of the loan. He made his debut for the side in a 2–2 draw in the league against Anderlecht on 13 September, coming on in the 68th minute for Wanderson. He scored his first goal for the club on 24 September, opening the score in a 4–0 Belgian Cup win over Sint-Truiden.
In July 2016, Lierse signed Timbe on a permanent three-year deal.
Beijing Renhe Masika joined China League One side Beijing Renhe in February 2017. He scored eight goals in his first season to help win promotion to the Chinese Super League. The following season, he was loaned back to the second tier to play for Heilongjiang Lava Spring, though he also scored seven goals in 14 games in the top flight for Beijing Renhe. On 31 January 2020 – transfer deadline day in England – Masika joined EFL Championship side Reading on loan until the end of the season.Royals complete loan move for winger Ayub Masika
Vissel Kobe On 1 March 2021, Masika joined J1 League side Vissel Kobe. On 12 August, he mutually terminated his contract with Vissel Kobe.
Buriram United On 2 December 2021, Masika joined Thai League 1 side Buriram United.
Nanjing City On 4 April 2023, Masika joined China League One side Nanjing City.
Sabail On 21 January 2024, Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabail announced the signing of Masika on a contract until the end of the season. Masika announced his depart from Sabail on 14 July 2024.
Crossing Schaerbeek On 2 January 2026, Crossing Schaerbeek announced the signing of Masika on a contract until the summer of 2027.
International career Masika was meant to play in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round match against Togo on 29 February 2012, but could not fly back to Kenya as he had club commitments with Genk that day. However, he made his international debut for Kenya against South Africa on 16 October 2012, coming on as a substitute for Thika United forward Francis Kahata in the 61st minute. Kenya lost the match 2–1.
Masika was called up to the Kenya national team once again for a friendly against Libya to be played on 6 February 2013, but refused to play, claiming that the Football Kenya Federation owed him money from his last appearance for the team against Tanzania. He made his return to the side on 18 May 2014, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Comoros. Masika scored his first goal for the national team 12 days later in the second leg, scoring a free kick to secure a 2–1 aggregate win for the Harambee Stars and a second round match-up against Lesotho.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGenk2011–12Belgian Pro League6000—00602012–13Belgian Pro League11010—411612013–14Belgian Pro League12040—301902014–15Belgian Pro League1000—0010Total30050—71421Lierse (loan)2014–15Belgian Pro League20111——2122015–16Belgian Second Division22710——237Total42821——449Lierse2016–17Belgian Second Division20611——217Beijing Renhe2017China League One23800——2382018Chinese Super League14700——1472019Chinese Super League12200——122Total491700——4917Heilongjiang Lava Spring (loan)2018China League One6210——72Reading (loan)2019–20Championship5010——60Vissel Kobe2021J1 League802052—152Buriram United2021–22Thai League 11324141002142022–23Thai League 1—1100—11Total132524100225Nanjing City2023China League One20111——212Sabail2023–24Azerbaijan Premier League14020——160Career total20736204937124344
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsKenya20122 020130 020143 120155 120165 220171 020181 020197 0Total244
Scores and results list Kenya's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Masika goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Ayub MasikaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 30 May 2015 Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh, Mitsamiouli, Comoros 1–0 1–1 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification2 7 October 2015 Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius 2–0 5–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification3 4 June 2016 Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, Kenya 1–1 1–2 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification4 4 September 2016 Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia 1–1 1–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification5 23 March 2024 Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi 3–0 4–0 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament
Honours Genk Belgian Cup: 2012–13 Buriram United Thai League 1: 2021–22 Thai FA Cup: 2021–22 Thai League Cup: 2021–22
References
External links
soka.co.ke Ayub Masika on soka.co.ke (archived)