Gor Mahia set for showdown contract talks with key quartet
Gor Mahia's Ugandan midfielder Geoffrey 'Baba' Kizito (left) dribbles past Sony Sugar's Marwa Chamberi during their Tusker Premier League match on August 24, 2014 at City Stadium. Gor are set to open contract extension talks with the midfielder. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Club secretary-general Chris Omondi on Tuesday said that Sserunkuma and his compatriot Kizito will jet in next week for talks with the club.
- The club will also loan out a host of fringe players next term, and youthful goalkeeper Joel Bataro is among those set for loan spells.
- K’Ogalo has its hands full, with five competitions up in wait, and will need to beef up the playing unit if they are to make an impression at the continental level.
Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have opened contract-extension talks with four top players in a bid to retain their services next season.
The quartet are leading goal poacher Dan Sserunkuma, midfield dynamo Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino and the 2010 KPL Most Valuable player George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo.
In an interview with Daily Nation Sport, club secretary-general Chris Omondi on Tuesday said that Sserunkuma and his compatriot Kizito will jet in next week for talks with the club.
The two, alongside Blackberry, are free agents as their contracts run down next month. Kizito joined the league champions from Vietnamese side Xuan Thanh Saigon on a one-year deal, pocketing Sh1.2 million in sign-on fee and has been an important figure at the heart of the midfield, playing a key role in their successful defence of the crown.
(READ: Gor Mahia retain KPL title)
K’Ogalo have also shown the ambition of tying down 2014 Kenyan Premier League Defender of the Year Owino and attacker Blackberry.
The four players starred in the ended season as Gor defied the odds to cruise to a record 14th league title.
“We have opened talks with them (Sserunkuma and Kizito). They will be returning to the country for negotiations. They are willing to remain at the club. Kizito is keen to extend his stay so long as we match what the Vietnamese club is offering,” he said.
AFFORDABILITY
Omondi, however, said that with the club currently grappling with no sponsor, the players' affordability will be an important factor in offering new deals.
“Affordability will be an important component in the talks, but we are confident of arriving at a solution.”
Blackberry — who showed flashes of his brilliant self in 2010 when Gor were piped to the diadem by Ulinzi Stars — has been improving his reputation as a deadly playmaker under Scot Frank Nuttall.
Omondi also said they will loan out a host of its fringe players next term, and youthful goalkeeper Joel Bataro is among those set for loan spells.
Meanwhile, the club has up to December 15 to submit the names of the players who will feature in the Confederation of Africa Football that will do duty in the African Champions League next season.
K’Ogalo has its hands full, with five competitions up in waiting, and will need to beef up the playing unit if they are to make an impression at the continental level.
