Karuturi coach’s fears over possible mass departure of his players to other clubs
Karuturi players celebrate their goal against Gor Mahia
Karuturi Sports coach Sammy Okoth fears losing half of his squad in the current transfer window.
While the club is yet to release any of its players, Okoth who led Karuturi to seventh place last season says he cannot ignore rumours already circulating that some of his players are being targeted by other clubs.
“I know of some players who have been approached, but some clubs too are talking to some of my players who I do not know,” said Okoth.
“My fear is, if I am not vigilant enough, I will be without half of my first team squad next season.”
Already, Okoth says Sony Sugar are holding talks with midfielder Mustapha Mohammed while Posta Rangers have inquired about the availability of Titus Wamalwa and Peter Juma.
“Some players have been offered jobs and it will be difficult to stop them. But as a club we will do our best to retain some of our best players.”
Recruitment exercise
Okoth says Kenyan Premier League champions Ulinzi Stars have approached two players who he is not aware of while AFC Leopards technical director Robert Matano has inquired about striker Alfred Chole.
To cover the expected gap to be left by these players, Karuturi will on January 10 hold a recruitment exercise. Okoth says by then he will have known which players are leaving and will remain.
In 2008, Karuturi Sports had to recruit players from scratch after the entire squad fled Naivasha due to the post election violence and Okoth says he is not new to such shake ups.
“We have found ourselves in situations where we do not have players and if such a scenario occurs, we will pick up.”
Elsewhere, Kenya Commercial Bank have released six players among them goalkeeper Dan Oluoch according to coach Leonard Saleh.
Freedom to leave
Saleh said Titus Mulama has been released to join Sofapaka while Michael Shikanda has also been given freedom to leave the club.
The coach said, the club will be recruiting players from Nationwide League clubs instead of going for big names from other KPL clubs.
