{{short description|Kenyan footballer (born 1992)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ayub Masika | image = | full_name = Ayub Timbe Masika | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|09|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Nairobi, Kenya | height = 1.70 m<ref name="soccerway" /> | position = Winger | currentclub = Crossing Schaerbeek | clubnumber = 11 | youthyears1 = 2004 | youthclubs1 = Ligi Ndogo | youthyears2 = 2005–2006 | youthclubs2 = JMJ Academy | youthyears3 = 2006–2008 | youthclubs3 = Anderlecht | youthyears4 = 2008–2010 | youthclubs4 = Germinal Beerschot | youthyears5 = 2010–2011 | youthclubs5 = Genk | years1 = 2011–2016 | clubs1 = Genk | caps1 = 30 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2014–2016 | clubs2 = → Lierse (loan) | caps2 = 42 | goals2 = 8 | years3 = 2016–2017 | clubs3 = Lierse | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 6 | years4 = 2017–2020 | clubs4 = Beijing Renhe | caps4 = 49 | goals4 = 17 | years5 = 2018 | clubs5 = → Heilongjiang Lava Spring (loan) | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2020 | clubs6 = → Reading (loan) | caps6 = 2 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2021 | clubs7 = Vissel Kobe | caps7 = 8 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2021–2022 | clubs8 = Buriram United | caps8 = 13 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 2023 | clubs9 = Nanjing City | caps9 = 20 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2024 | clubs10 = Sabail | caps10 = 14 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2026– | clubs11 = Crossing Schaerbeek | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2012–2024 | nationalteam1 = Kenya | nationalcaps1 = 31 | nationalgoals1 = 5<ref>{{cite web|title=Player: Ayub Timbe Masika {{!}} FoStats|url=http://www.fostats.com/player/10240/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610213229/http://www.fostats.com/player/10240|url-status=usurped|archive-date=10 June 2016|website=fostats.com}}</ref> | club-update = 01:05, 1 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = }}

'''Ayub Timbe Masika''' ({{IPA|en|aˈjub ˈtimbe maˈsika|generic=yes|label=Kenyan English:|audio=Ayub Timbe Masika.ogg}}; 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.<ref name="soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ajub-timbe-masika/193189/|title=A. Masika|work=Soccerway}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Timbe signs for Genk">{{cite news |title=Ayub Timbe lands four-year Pro deal with RC Genk |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ayub-timbe-lands-four-year-pro-deal-with-rc-genk |publisher=Futaa.com |date=18 June 2011 |access-date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425191331/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ayub-timbe-lands-four-year-pro-deal-with-rc-genk |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===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.<ref name="Timbe signs for Genk" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kenyan striker debuts as Belgian champs are held |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/kenyan-striker-debuts-as-belgian-champs-are-held |publisher=Futaa.com |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118092203/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/kenyan-striker-debuts-as-belgian-champs-are-held |archive-date=18 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ayub Timbe debuts as Genk hold Zulte-Waregem |url=http://www.michezoafrika.com/harambee%20stars/ayub-timbe-debuts-as-genk-hold-zulte-waregem/4341.aspx |publisher=MichezoAfrika.com |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timbe a massive winner with Genk |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-a-massive-winner-with-genk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704182951/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-a-massive-winner-with-genk |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2013 |publisher=Futaa.com |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ayub Masika fires Genk into Europa group stage |url=http://www.michezoafrika.com/harambee-stars/ayub-masika-fires-genk-into-europa-group-stage/8151 |publisher=MichezoAfrika.com |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ayub Masika naar Lierse|url=http://www.lierse.com/nl/news/ayub-masika-naar-lierse|publisher=lierse.com|date=1 September 2014|access-date=2 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929211845/http://lierse.com/nl/news/ayub-masika-naar-lierse|archive-date=29 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/masika-debuts-for-lierse-in-four-goal-thriller |title=Masika debuts for Lierse in four goal thriller |date=14 September 2014 |author=Vincent Opiyo |work=Futaa.com |access-date=24 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129192505/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/masika-debuts-for-lierse-in-four-goal-thriller |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 24 September, opening the score in a 4–0 Belgian Cup win over Sint-Truiden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/goal-for-timbe-as-lierse-progress |title=Goal for Timbe as Lierse progress |date=25 September 2014 |author=Mercy Njueh |work=Futaa.com |access-date=24 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129192501/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/goal-for-timbe-as-lierse-progress |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In July 2016, Lierse signed Timbe on a permanent three-year deal.<ref name="soka.co.ke">{{cite web|last1=Oguda|first1=Zachary|title=Kenyan International winger joins Belgium side|url=http://www.soka.co.ke/stars-abroad/item/kenyan-international-winger-joins-belgium-side|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820222226/http://www.soka.co.ke/stars-abroad/item/kenyan-international-winger-joins-belgium-side|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===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.<ref>[https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/january/royals-complete-loan-move-for-winger-ayub-masika Royals complete loan move for winger Ayub Masika]</ref>

===Vissel Kobe=== On 1 March 2021, Masika joined J1 League side Vissel Kobe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/18407.html|title=FWアユブ マシカ選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ|publisher=Vissel Kobe|date=1 March 2021|access-date=21 April 2023|language=ja}}</ref> On 12 August, he mutually terminated his contract with Vissel Kobe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/19020.html|title=FWアユブ マシカ選手 契約解除のお知らせ |publisher=Vissel Kobe|date=12 August 2021|access-date=21 April 2023|language=ja}}</ref>

===Buriram United=== On 2 December 2021, Masika joined Thai League 1 side Buriram United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-cm/news/ayub-timbe-buriram-united-seal-signing-of-kenya-winger/blt43165e8ae25ebe05|title=Ayub Timbe: Buriram United seal signing of Kenya winger|publisher=Goal|date=3 December 2021|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

===Nanjing City=== On 4 April 2023, Masika joined China League One side Nanjing City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dongqiudi.com/articles/3363665.html|title=官方：前北京人和外援马西卡加盟南京城市|publisher=dongqiudi|date=4 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|language=zh}}</ref>

===Sabail=== On 21 January 2024, Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabail announced the signing of Masika on a contract until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title="Səbail" PFK-ya xoş gəldin, Ayub Masika🤝💙⚓️ |url=https://www.facebook.com/SabailFC/videos/s%C9%99bail-pfk-ya-xo%C5%9F-g%C9%99ldin-ayub-masika%EF%B8%8F-__-sblfc-football-azerbaycan-baku-transfer/206526772548633/ |website=facebook.com/SabailFC |publisher=Sabail FC Facebook |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=Azerbaijani |date=21 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title="Səbail" Keniya millisinin üzvünü heyətinə qatıb |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=840211071450723&set=a.142482257890278 |website=facebook.com/SabailFC |publisher=Sabail FC Facebook |access-date=22 January 2024 |language=Azerbaijani |date=21 January 2024 }}</ref> Masika announced his depart from Sabail on 14 July 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=To all My family in Azerbaijan,, Thank you @sabailfc . |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C9ZfA7gM9n7/?hl=en |website=instagram.com/masikaayub/ |publisher=Ayub Masika Instagram |access-date=18 November 2024 |date=14 July 2024}}</ref>

===Crossing Schaerbeek=== On 2 January 2026, Crossing Schaerbeek announced the signing of Masika on a contract until the summer of 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayub Masika rejoint officiellement le club! |url=http://crossing-schaerbeek.be/ayub-masika-rejoint-officiellement-le-club/ |website=crossing-schaerbeek.be |publisher=Crossing Schaerbeek |access-date=26 March 2026 |language=French |date=2 January 2026}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kimanzi names squad to take on Togo |url=http://www.supersport.com/football/kenya/news/120208/Kimanzi_names_squad_to_take_on_Togo |publisher=SuperSport |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ayub Timbe not coming for Togo match |url=http://www.michezoafrika.com/harambee%20stars/ayub-timbe-not-coming-for-togo-match/5003.aspx |publisher=MichezoAfrika.com |date=27 February 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timbe debuts for Kenya |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-debuts-for-kenya |publisher=Futaa.com |date=16 October 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705045337/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-debuts-for-kenya |archive-date=5 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Belgium-based midfielder Ayub Timbe snubbed Kenya friendly against Libya |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4522/kenya/2013/02/05/3727766/why-belgium-based-midfielder-ayub-timbe-snubbed-kenya |publisher=Goal |date=5 February 2013 |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timbe sparkles in debut start for Stars |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-sparkles-in-debut-start-for-stars |publisher=Futaa.com |date=18 May 2014 |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062108/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/timbe-sparkles-in-debut-start-for-stars |archive-date=19 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timbe: I knew I will score from THAT free-kick |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4502/africa-cup-of-nations/2014/05/31/4851864/timbe-i-knew-i-will-score-from-that-free-kick |publisher=Goal |date=31 May 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club=== {{updated|28 October 2023}}<ref name="soccerway" />{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League{{efn|Includes Belgian Pro League, the Championship play-offs, the Europa League play-offs and the Belgian Second Division play-offs.}} !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Belgian Cup, and the Belgian Supercup.}} !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.}} !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Genk |2011–12 |rowspan="4"|Pro League |6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||6||0 |- |2012–13 |11||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||4||1||16||1 |- |2013–14 |12||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||3||0||19||0 |- |2014–15 |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !30!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!7!!1!!42!!1 |- |rowspan="3"|Lierse (loan) |2014–15 |Pro League |20||1||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||2 |- |2015–16 |Belgian Second Division |22||7||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||23||7 |- !colspan="2"|Total !42!!8!!2!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!44!!9 |- |Lierse |2016–17 |Belgian Second Division |20||6||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||7 |- |rowspan="4"|Beijing Renhe |2017 |China League One |23||8||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||23||8 |- |2018 |rowspan="2"|Chinese Super League |14||7||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||14||7 |- |2019 |12||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !49!!17!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!49!!17 |- |Heilongjiang Lava Spring (loan) |2018 |China League One |6||2||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||7||2 |- |Reading (loan) |2019–20 |EFL Championship |5||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||6||0 |- |Vissel Kobe |2021 |J1 League |8||0||2||0||5||2||colspan="2"|–||15||2 |- |rowspan="3"|Buriram United |2021–22 |rowspan="2"|Thai League 1 |13||2||4||1||4||1||0||0||21||4 |- |2022–23 |0||0||1||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !13!!2!!5!!2!!4!!1!!0!!0!!22!!5 |- |Nanjing City |2023 |China League One |20||1||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !193!!36!!18!!4!!9!!3!!7!!1!!227!!44 |}

{{notelist}}

===International=== {{hatnote|{{As of|2019|9|8}}<ref name="soccerway" />}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="8"|Kenya |2012||2 ||0 |- |2013||0 ||0 |- |2014||3 ||1 |- |2015||5 ||1 |- |2016||5 ||2 |- |2017||1 ||0 |- |2018||1 ||0 |- |2019||7 ||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!24!!4 |}

:''Scores and results list Kenya's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Masika goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Ayub Masika<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/49129/Ayub_Masika.html|title=Masika, Ayub|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref> |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | style="text-align:center"|1 || 30 May 2015 || Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh, Mitsamiouli, Comoros || {{fb|COM}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | style="text-align:center"|2 || 7 October 2015 || Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius || {{fb|MRI}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|5–2 || 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | style="text-align:center"|3 || 4 June 2016 || Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, Kenya || {{fb|CGO}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | style="text-align:center"|4 || 4 September 2016 || Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia || {{fb|ZAM}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | style="text-align:center"|5 || 23 March 2024 || Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi || {{fb|MWI}} || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || style="text-align:center"|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== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.masika-ayub.com}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160530223221/http://www.soka.co.ke/tag/ayub_timbe_masika soka.co.ke Ayub Masika] on soka.co.ke (archived) * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160610213229/http://www.fostats.com/player/10240 fostats.com]}} * {{NFT player|49129}} * {{Soccerway|ajub-timbe-masika/193189}} *{{J.League player}}

{{Kenya squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Masika, Ayub}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Nairobi Category:Kenyan men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Ligi Ndogo S.C. players Category:RSC Anderlecht players Category:Beerschot AC players Category:KRC Genk players Category:Lierse SK (1906) players Category:Beijing Chengfeng F.C. players Category:Jiangxi Dingnan United F.C. players Category:Reading F.C. players Category:Vissel Kobe players Ayub Masika Category:Nanjing City F.C. players Category:Sabail FK players Category:Belgian Pro League players Category:Challenger Pro League players Category:China League One players Category:Chinese Super League players Category:English Football League players Category:J1 League players Ayub Masika Category:Azerbaijan Premier League players Category:Kenya men's international footballers Category:Kenyan expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Japan Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Thailand Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in Belgium Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in China Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in Japan Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in Thailand Category:Kenyan expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:21st-century Kenyan sportsmen