NAIROBI, Kenya, May 31- A head of the June transfer window, Kenyan Premier League leaders Tusker FC has announced they will not release their top players.
Gor Mahia has heavily been interested in Tusker’s two best performers in the first leg, defender Eugene Asike and midfielder Humphrey Mieno and has approached them in a bid to bolster for the second leg.
But speaking to Capital Sport, Tusker Chief Executive Officer Charles Obiny says the two have two years remaining in their contracts, saying Gor should follow the right procedure if they want the players.
“No one has talked to us as a club. If they want our players, there are rules to be followed. They should come and talk to us. We are not interested in losing any player in June because we want to challenge the league title,” the CEO said.
Club chairman James Musyoki also weighed in on the matter saying the club will not want to release any players, urging his squad to remain at Tusker as they seek to reclaim the crown they last lifted in 2012.
“I have heard that some teams want to take our players but I don’t want to see anyone leave. No one has come to talk to me about leaving and I want to urge you (players) to remain with us. I have analyzed all these teams in the league and I know none is better than us,” Musyoki offered.
Asike has been a defensive kingpin at the center back for the Brewers since he joined them in June last year from Sofapaka and his form has seen him earn a recall to the national team.
Mieno has been a core figure in Tusker’s campaign thus far and the two are seen as the perfect fit for Gor as they seek to defend the league title.
Club captain James Situma has also urged the club’s management to see that the players remain if they are to stay strong.
‘I have talked to the management and made it clear with them we should not lose players. It will be an undoing of a great work we have already started if we get to lose key players.”
Obiny has disclosed they are looking to bolster the squad with three or four new players as they seek to topple Gor as league champions.
Apart from Asike and Mieno, K’Ogalo are also interested in Western Stima forward Baron Oketch and Mathare United’s Eric Johannah, a player they have been admiring for long.
Meanwhile, Tusker is set to move their home ground to the Kinoru Stadium in Meru beginning from their first match of the second leg against Posta Rangers.
Obiny has disclosed that work at the stadium is almost done and they will be able to use the stadium for the rest of their home matches.
“We were there last week to check on the progress and the good thing is that the new contractor is doing well to hasten the work. By the time the second leg starts, the playing surface will be ready despite the fact some other work will still be going on because they are renovating with an eye on CHAN as well,” Obiny declared.
Tusker has been shuttling between Kasarani, Nyayo and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos as their home ground.
The Kinoru Stadium hosted several Tusker matches in the last two years including the 2014 KPL Top Eight final won by the Brewers.