Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC’s Chris Marlon Ondong Mba said his decision to join the Rhinos is because of his desire to take on a new challenge in Asian football.
The French national, who last played for Yanbian Longding Football Club in the Chinese second tier league, is the latest signing for Sabah FC in the transfer window.
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Despite receiving lucrative offers to return to Europe, the 33-year-old said he made the decision to stay put in Asia to seek success.
“I needed a new challenge. After a tough experience in China, I opted to stay within the Asian football scene.
“I left Europe with success and for me, success in Asia is equally important. I am a player who lives with challenges every day,” he said.
He hopes his ability to play as a striker and winger will provide the team with more tactical options in the second half of the season.
“I like one-on-one situations, actively finding space, using my speed and making repeated runs.
“As a striker, I like to press the opponent’s defence and play in high areas to put pressure on the opponent.”
He also said fierce competition in the attacking line-up should not be seen as pressure, but rather as a driving force for improving performance.
“I only focus on myself and do my best in training to repay the trust given by Sabah FC. My priority is giving one hundred percent to my teammates, club, Sabah and the supporters. With discipline, patience and hard work, positive results will follow,” he said.
Sabah FC have signed a total of five import players during the transfer window.
The others are striker Belfort Kervensfils from Haiti, Croatian midfielder Duje Ljubic, left-back Ernesto Amantegui Phumipha from Thailand and Spanish centreback Jose Angel Alonso.
