NAIROBI, December 2- Uganda Cranes midfield dynamo Geoffrey Kizito has followed compatriot and top scorer Dan Sserunkuma out of Gor Mahia as the sponsor-less Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions face an uphill battle to retain their best talent.
Harambee Stars centre back, David ‘Calabar’ Owino, who has been a stalwart in defence on both title winning campaigns for K’Ogalo is also near the exit door with the champions said to have raided their struggling archrivals for Jackson Saleh as a replacement.
The loss of the midfielder affectionately known as ‘Baba’ (father) amongst the Green Army will comes as a blow for the team preparing for the CAF Champions League as well as a three-peat of the domestic honours next season.
“I have told Gor Mahia I will not be signing a new contract. They have tabled an offer which was not bad, but it’s time to move on and I want to do it with the club’s blessing,” the Cranes international whose preferred ‘greener pastures’ are yet to be established told SuperSport.com.
Kizito was runner-up in the Player of the Year/Midfielder of the Year Awards to Sofapaka’s Ekaliani Ndolo whom Gor are rumoured to be keen on prising away from Sofapaka whom they pipped to the title.
Sserunkuma who sunk 16 goals as Gor defied their financial woes to retain their crown has already pitched tent at Tanzanian giants, Simba SC having failed to secure a move to Europe in the middle of last season.
Another Sofapaka star, Burundi star Abdul Razak Fiston is in Gor’s radar to fill the Sserunkuma-shaped hole in their attack.
At the back, Saleh is on the verge of crossing the Mashemeji (in-laws) bitter divide and join the Green Army from Leopards den with the KPL transfer window that opened on Monday already in full swing.
He is lined-up to take the place of Owino who is reportedly moving to Europe with Gor keen on wrapping up their transfer business as soon as possible to give the squad ample time to prepare for the Champions League preliminary rounds next month.