Gor sweat over six players’ imminent contract expiry

Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr (top) waves flags in celebration after winning the SportPesa Premier League title at the end of their 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars at the Kericho Green Stadium on October 22, 2017. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Even before newly confirmed SportPesa Premier League champions Gor Mahia begin formal celebrations they are already grappling with a big headache: How to hold on to their key players.
  • Gor, who beat Ulinzi Stars 1-0 last Saturday to regain the title they lost to Tusker last year, will have six of their players out of contract by the beginning of January.
  • The six are captain Musa Mohammed, whose contract lapses on January 15 next year, on-form striker George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, who will be out of a contract by December 31, defender Harun Shakava, whose contract ends on January 14, Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge (February 1), Godfrey Walusimbi (January 22) and burly midfielder Ernest Wendo (January 1, 2018).

Even before newly confirmed SportPesa Premier League champions Gor Mahia begin formal celebrations they are already grappling with a big headache: How to hold on to their key players.

Gor, who beat Ulinzi Stars 1-0 last Saturday to regain the title they lost to Tusker last year, will have six of their players out of contract by the beginning of January.

The six are captain Musa Mohammed, whose contract lapses on January 15 next year, on-form striker George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, who will be out of a contract by December 31, defender Harun Shakava, whose contract ends on January 14, Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge (February 1), Godfrey Walusimbi (January 22) and burly midfielder Ernest Wendo (January 1, 2018).

Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier, however, told Nation Sport that they would move with speed to ensure that the key players remained in the squad ahead of next season. 

“We have learned our lessons and this time round we want to do things differently. We have already started negotiations with the players whose contracts are running out,” he said.

“That is however a great challenge to us because it requires a huge amount of money in terms of sign-on fees and salaries for the players.

 “I’d like us to settle this matter with the players before the end of this year so that we can have everyone registered for the Caf competition, as opposed to previous years where some of our best players have had to miss the competition due to late registration,” Rachier said.

Gor Mahia chief Executive Officer Lordvick Aduda on Monday confirmed stars players Tuyisenge and Walusimbi were under great pressure to leave for greener pastures. While Walusimbi is being courted by Orlando Pirates of South Africa, Tuyisenge could be headed back to Rwanda where top side Rwanda Patriotic Army (APR) have offered him a well-paying job.

“This are our valuable players who we cannot afford to lose and are working round the clock to have them agree new contracts,” Aduda said. “We already have had preliminary talks with Tuyisenge and he is showing positive signs of staying with the club and should engage Walusimbi who returns to the country at the weekend and we believes we will convince the two to stay,” he said.

Gor will be officially crowned SPL champions at Moi Stadium in Kisumu either November 11 or November 18.