Mwirusi begins new chapter in South Africa with Midlands Wanderers

Ugandan goalkeeper Ali Mwirusi Ramathan has opened a new page in his career after sealing a move to Midlands Wanderers FC, a club competing in South Africa’s second tier, the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

The Pietermaritzburg-based side moved swiftly to integrate the former Express FC custodian into their squad, and Mwirusi wasted no time in making an impression.

On Wednesday evening, he was handed his debut and responded with a composed performance as Midlands Wanderers played out a goalless draw against Casric Stars, keeping a clean sheet in his first outing for the club.

His arrival comes at a crucial time for the side, nicknamed Abafana Bebatha, who are currently 14th on the 16-team table with 13 points from 15 matches as they battle to climb away from the lower end of the standings.

Mwirusi joins Midlands Wanderers from Express FC, where he spent only the opening half of the season in the Uganda Premier League before making the switch south.

The goalkeeper’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He first shot into the spotlight during the National Schools Championships, representing Kibuli SS, Amus College and St. Mary’s Kitende.

His talent later earned him a move to KCCA FC, before he ventured to Europe, featuring for Villajoyosa CF in Spain and Squire Gates FC in England in the lower divisions.

Along the way, he also had trials with Wigan Athletic in England and FC Vaulx-en-Velin in France, further shaping his experience at international level.

By moving to South Africa, Mwirusi now joins a growing list of Ugandan goalkeepers plying their trade in the country, including Denis Onyango, Jamal Salim Magoola and Isma Watenga, a testament to Uganda’s rising reputation for producing top-class shot stoppers.

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