Starting this April 2022, Persib Bandung finally announced two new players for the next season of the Liga 1 competition. Welcome to Rachmat Iriyanto and Ricky Kambuaya. The Tigers of West Java stated that both Iriyanto and Kambuaya would be drafted for more than one season.
Both players joined Persib and left Persebaya. Another thing to highlight here is the fact that Ricky Kambuaya is a footballer from West Papua.
That Guy with The Phenomenal Kick In The 2020 AFF Cup
Many eyes started turning to Ricky Kambuaya after he had scored a goal in the first half of the 2020 AFF Cup during the Final 2 Match Leg against Thailand. Ricky’s kick was considered beautiful, almost phenomenal.
Not only that, but Ricky was also named the best player during the second leg of the 2020 AFF Final Cup. After his striking debut, Ricky became one of the key players in the team coached by Shin Tae Yong. He even has an opportunity to play abroad.
Ricky was born in Sorong, West Papua, on May 5, 1996. His full name is Richardo Kambuaya, but everybody calls him Ricky. The second child of the four siblings, Ricky has always loved football since he was a little boy. Noticing that, Ricky’s father began
supporting him and also coaching him along the way. Although rather quiet in person, Ricky has been nothing but relentless whenever he is on the field – whether he is just playing, training, or even competing.
Ricky is a Christian and is currently 26 years old. He graduated from STIE Sorong Papua.
Daddy Had Always Said Yes, Mommy Said No
Although Ricky has always had the full support of his own father (now belated), that was not the same case with his mother at first. When he was drafted to play in a senior club in Mojokerto, East Java, his mother disapproved of his passion for the sport.
It was just like the reason many Asian mothers might have. Going to Mojokerto and playing there for some time means leaving home. Ricky has no relatives in the city. Willing to fight to fulfill his dreams, Ricky left for Mojokerto without saying goodbye. Once he arrived there, he broke the news to his family back home. Knowing how persistent he was, his mother and the rest of their family finally gave him all their blessings.
Ricky’s Footballing Career
Ricky started his career when playing in Duta Club in 2015. Then he accepted the offer to join PS Mojokerto Putra, where he played from 2017 until 2019 with them.
His footballing skills were further honed when he moved to PSS Sleman from 2019 to 2020. He had also spent some time playing as the attacking midfielder for Persebaya in Surabaya, East Java.
Ricky’s skills and calm demeanor won him an opportunity to join the Indonesian National Team (Timnas or Tim Nasional) and performed in the 2020 AFF Cup.
The Goal That Turned Heads On Him In the 2020 AFF Cup
On the first round, Indonesia was almost dominated by Thailand. It was Ricky’s kick that had saved the day. That phenomenal kick of his resulted in a single goal. Indonesia finished the first round by 1 – 0 against Thailand.
Going Abroad For Ricky Kambuaya
Ricky Kambuaya has been named one of the best players in Southeast Asia. He received this title right after his performance at the 2020 AFF Cup. This brought Indonesia to a draw against Thailand during the second leg of the game on January 1, 2022.
In a virtual conference, Ricky admitted that if he had ever got the opportunity to play abroad, he would gladly accept that. It would be an honor if Coach Sin had that much faith in him.
Ricky’s Future Contract with Persib
In the same month, Persebaya announced that they had ended their contract with both Rachmat Iriyanto and Ricky Kambuaya. Their official statement was:
“Persebaya’s collaboration with Rachmat Iriyanto and Ricky Kambuaya must end this season. Both players have their own reasons when it comes to decisions about their future in their career.”
Not long after that, Persib came up with the announcement of welcoming both players into their club. Persib admitted that Ricky signed a two-year contract with them while Rachmat was signing a three-year contract with them.
“Their young age is part of the club’s consideration in placing them in the team with those contracts,” Persib also added. In this club, both Rachmat Iriyanto and Ricky Kambuaya will reunite with some of their former peers when they were still together in the Indonesian National Team during the 2020 AFF Cup, like Victor Igbonefo and Ezra Walian.
Last season, Ricky scored six goals and two assists from 18 appearances in Liga 1 with Persebaya. Hopefully, with his future career with Persib Bandung, this young, promising footballer from West Papua will give us plenty of surprises on the field – much more than his debut in the AFF.
