What next for seven players axed by Posta Rangers?
Posta Rangers players warm up in an empty Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, on March 14, 2020 after their Betway match against Gor Mahia was cancelled.
What you need to know:
- The team is looking to sign four players and coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omolo says the target is to finish among the best eight team next season.
- “We reviewed the performance of the seven players and we all agreed they did not meet our expectations. The team was also congested and going forward we will have a lean squad,” Omolo said.
What next for the seven players that have been let go by Kenyan Premier League side Posta Rangers?
That is the dilemma facing goalkeeper Gradus Ochieng, former Tusker and Sofapaka midfielder Danson Kago, Marcelus Ingotsi, veteran defender Humphrey Okoti, Felix Oluoch, Brian Osumba and Peter Oyier, who have all been deemed surplus to requirement.
“After reviewing the coach’s report and also bearing in mind we have to restructure to cope with the hard financial times, the team decided to let go the seven players. We thank them for their service to the club and wish them all the best in future,” team manager, John Terry said.
For Danson Kago, there’s no love lost for the club despite the axe.
Danson Kago (left) of Postal Corporation of Kenya vies for the ball with Dennis Amboso of Kenya Ferry Services during their group 'A' of the ongoing Kenya Communications Sports Organisation (Kecoso) games at Gusii Stadium on August 13, 2019. Kenya Ferry won 2-1.
“I received a notification via text on Thursday and I have utmost respect for the club and the coach and I therefore respect the decision and accept it fully. I am still an employee of the Postal Corporation of Kenya and I will continue working for the company even as I weigh my options ahead of next season,” he said.
Posta Rangers captain Joseph Mbugi (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Wazito during their Kenya Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on January 25, 2020.
“I am not surprised at all by what happened. That is how Kenyan football is, today you are in a team and tomorrow things change. As a footballer in Kenya you have to be mentally strong and always think ahead otherwise you will fall into depression. I am at a good place and therefore choose to focus on the future – I have been training and will most definitely be in a new club next season,” he added.
Professional life
For Brian Osumba, who won the coveted 2013 KPL Midfielder of the Year accolade while at Tusker FC, this could mark the end of his active playing days.
He is a practicing accountant as well as businessman and says he could now focus on his professional life.
Sofapaka's Brian Magunya (right) vies for the ball with Posta Rangers' Brian Osumba during their Kenyan Premier League match on May 1, 2019 at Machakos' Kenyatta Stadium.
“I am still taking time to weigh my options, but I am not sure if I will continue playing football professionally. However, I am still training and working for Postal Corporation of Kenya as an accountant.”
The team is looking to sign four players and coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omolo says the target is to finish among the best eight team next season.
“We reviewed the performance of the seven players and we all agreed they did not meet our expectations. The team was also congested and going forward we will have a lean squad,” Omolo said.
“I have identified four good players and they should be putting pen to paper soon. Defence was our major undoing and it is the area we want to fix first. It might be too early to tell but the consensus within the team is we have to do better and our target is top eight,” he added.
Posta Rangers has endured financial difficulties in the past season, but Omolo believes this coming season things will be better.
“Last season we had huge financial challenges that affected our preparations from the onset and that eventually affected how we performed in the league. I do not want a repeat of the same,” Omolo said.
“We have had a very good discussion with the management and I believe we will do better next season. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have secured a good sponsorship and with the grants we receive we have introduced match bonuses which is something we didn’t have before. I believe the players will be more motivated in the coming season,” he added.
