The lights were already on at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV in Kota Bharu on Monday, February 2, 2026. A young defender from eastern Indonesia stepped onto the training field for the first time wearing the colors of his new team. The humidity was normal, but everything else felt unfamiliar. Different language, different speed, different hopes.
Yohanes Kandaimu, a footballer from Papua who had just joined Kelantan FC to play in the Malaysia Super League, started a new chapter in his life that night. For Kandaimu, this was a personal moment. It meant something to Papua.
On January 17, 2026, it was made public that he had signed with Kelantan FC. This came after the team made last-minute changes to its roster before the second phase of the competition. The club said that Kandaimu, a center defender, had passed medical tests in Kota Bharu and signed a professional contract to make their defense stronger.
A Trip That Started in Papua
Yohanes Kandaimu was born on August 17, 2001, in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. Jayapura is a coastal city surrounded by mountains and the sea. Football is played on beaches, schoolyards, and uneven grass fields long before it gets to stadiums.
From a young age, Kandaimu stood out not because of his dazzling skills, but because of his discipline and how he looked. Neighbors remember him chasing a ball in the fading sunlight in the afternoons, and he typically stayed outside long after other kids had gone home. Football is a big part of life in Papua, and for many young boys, it is both an escape and a goal.
Kandaimu joined formal football development as a teenager through Persipura Jayapura, one of Indonesia’s most regarded clubs and a historic powerhouse known for generating Papuan talent. Training sessions were held in Jayapura, usually early in the morning to avoid the heat. They required discipline that changed the way he played.
Coaches at Persipura said he was calm under pressure and could be counted on physically, both of which are important for a defender. He wasn’t thrown into the spotlight right away, but his gradual improvement showed that he was a player who was eager to study and wait for his chance.
Liga 2 and a Short Window That Changed Everything
Kandaimu joined PSBS Biak in 2023. This club plays in Liga 2, which is Indonesia’s second league. Even though he didn’t get to play much, the move moved him closer to playing senior football at a higher level. He only played for the club once in an official game.
For a lot of guys, not getting to play as much could have hurt their careers. For Kandaimu, it was a turning point in his career. Scouts and agents typically look at more than just how many minutes a player plays. They also look at their skills, training, attitude, and physical preparedness. His one appearance, together with his training performances, was enough to get him on shortlists.
In late December 2025, his agents and a few clubs started talking about things privately. Malaysia became a legitimate option because it is close by, has high standards, and is becoming more friendly to Indonesian players.
The Call From Malaysia
In early January 2026, Kandaimu got word that Kelantan FC was interested, and that was the turning point. The team was looking for more defensive players at the time because of injuries and poor performance in the first half of the Malaysia Super League season.
Kelantan FC is headquartered in Kota Bharu, which is in the state of Kelantan. The team has a lot of devoted fans and has played at the highest level of Malaysian football in the past. Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV typically draws thousands of fans to games, producing an atmosphere that is well-known throughout Southeast Asia.
Kandaimu went from Indonesia to Malaysia in the second week of January 2026, once talks and paperwork were finished. He got to Kota Bharu days before the formal announcement and had to take medical tests and training tests.
The club officially announced him as a new signing on January 17, 2026. Local news outlets focused on his reputation as a defender from Papua, pointing out his body type and potential for growth.
Getting Used to a New Football Culture
They started training with Kelantan FC right away. After the sun came up, morning training began. In the afternoon, there were tactical drills. The speed was faster than what Kandaimu was used to, with a focus on positional discipline and quick changes.
Communication was hard at first. There were some differences between Indonesian and Malaysian languages, but football terms and locker room culture needed to be changed. His teammates helped him get used to the new place by often translating orders and giving him tips during drills.
Kandaimu had to adapt not only physically but also mentally. When you played abroad, you were more than just a club. It meant living up to the hopes of an area that is often called “rich in talent but poor in opportunity.”
He added in a short interview with the media following his first training session, “I know a lot of people back home are watching.” “I want to show that players from Papua can play at this level.”
Papua and Its Football Culture
Papua has been known in Indonesia for a long time as a place where football players come from. People generally say that Papuan players are strong, fast, and naturally athletic. But structural problems have made it hard for many to reach international stages.
There are fewer facilities and contests in Western Indonesia; therefore, scouting networks are more focused there. Even though there are these problems, guys from Papua keep coming up because they are passionate and strong.
Kandaimu’s move to Kelantan FC adds to the story that Papua is not just a part of Indonesian football but also a place where players may play on the world stage. His experience is like that of others who had to leave home early, adjust swiftly, and keep proving themselves.
What the Move Means
Kelantan FC made a smart choice when they signed Kandaimu. The club saw him as a player who might help them progress and become a reliable first-team option with the right coaching.
The contract was proof for Kandaimu. It showed that even a short career at home could lead to chances if you are disciplined and ready.
In Papua, word of the signing circulated swiftly. Coaches in Jayapura and Biak told young players the story during practice. Posts on social media praised his success and used it as proof that international football is not out of reach.
Motivating the Next Generation
In January 2026, youth matches in Papua were still being played on uneven fields, and the players sometimes didn’t have the right gear. But the way people talked had changed. Now, kids talked about Malaysia, Kelantan FC, and a defender who used to train on the same fields.
Parents and teachers said that pupils who were in school football programs were more motivated. People started to use Kandaimu’s story as a reference. His story isn’t a made-up story; it’s a real-life example of how hard work can lead to advancement.
Local coaches stressed that his road was not quick. It took years of training, being patient when you didn’t have much time to play, and being willing to take risks.
The Future of the Malaysia Super League
As the Malaysia Super League season went on into February and March 2026, Kandaimu kept getting used to his new surroundings. It was hard to choose who to play on match day, and every training session was important.
His presence alone showed growth, whether he became a regular starter or a rotational player. Indonesian football experts said that every time a player plays abroad, it helps to raise the profile of the country’s talent pool.
For Papua, it was even more important. Kandaimu’s decision went against the long-held belief that musicians from eastern Indonesia have a hard time crossing borders for work.
A Message That Goes Beyond Football
Yohanes Kandaimu’s trip from Jayapura to Kota Bharu is more than just a sporting narrative. It is a story about getting access, not giving up, and being recognized. It shows how talent can grow when given chances, even if they come late or out of the blue.
Kelantan FC’s signing of him in January 2026 is a big deal, not because it guarantees greatness, but because it opens up new opportunities and changes how people see him.
It makes a simple truth even stronger for Papua. The land is rich in culture, nature, and people with great potential. Young players are still training in the sun on football fields all around the region, bearing dreams formed by stories like Kandaimu’s.
As the season goes on in Malaysia, we will keep a careful eye on his growth. Every tackle, every appearance, and every progress contributes to a story that started years ago on a field in Jayapura.
And for a lot of young Papuan football players who are far away, that tale feels closer than ever.
