PETALING JAYA: Sabah have reinforced their squad with five new signings after the departures of Stuart Wilkin, Ajdin Mujagic and Daniel Ting.
Bolstering the Borneo side’s attack are French winger Chris Ondong, Haitian forward Kervons Belfort and Croatian midfielder Duje Ljubic.
New Spanish centreback Jose Angel Alonso and fullback Ernesto Phumipha are expected to beef up the Rhinos’ backline.
With 10 league matches remaining, as well as a Challenge Cup campaign to navigate, the fresh faces offer Sabah renewed hope of climbing up the table before the season concludes in May.
Hard at work: Ondong going through the paces during training. — Sabah FC
Currently 11th in the league with 14 points from 14 matches, Sabah are within striking distance of the top half, trailing sixth-placed Penang by just four points, albeit having played two fewer games.
In the Challenge Cup, a competition for teams eliminated in the Malaysia Cup round of 16, Sabah will face Police in a two-legged quarter-final.
The first leg will be played at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 2, with the return fixture scheduled for Feb 15 at the Selayang Stadium.
Ondong, considered one of the standout signings,is eager to make his mark as he embarks on his first professional stint in South-East Asia.
“I needed a new challenge. I had opportunities to return to Europe with good offers, but after my experience in China, I wanted to stay in Asia,” said the 32-year-old.
“There were issues outside football in China that left me dissatisfied, but I left Europe with success and now succeeding in Asia is important to me. I thrive on challenges.”
Formerly with Chinese club Yanbian Longding, Ondong also outlined his playing style and personal goals for the season.
“I’m a mix between an attacker and a winger. I enjoy one-on-one situations, making runs in behind, staying mobile and repeating efforts,” said Ondong, who has played in Malta, Greece, Lithuania, France, Belgium and Montenegro.
“As an attacker, I like to hold the ball up, press high and put pressure on defenders. My game is about speed, dynamism, aggressiveness, endurance, technical quality and working for the team.”
