Jesee Were pose with his trophy after being crowned July SJAK Sport-Pesa Player of the Month. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, August 25 – After his dream to play for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Bidvest Wits collapsed, lethal Tusker FC forward Jesse Were, is open to new offers outside the domestic top flight league.
Were, was crowned SportPesa SJAK Player of the Month of July after notching a hat-trick of successive trebles against Chemelil Sugar, Thika United and GOtv Shield Champions, Sofapaka.
The Brewers’ skipper became the fifth winner of the accolade as he hopes to transfer his top scoring form in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) to national side Harambee Stars when they host 2012 champions, Zambia in an 2017 AFCON qualifier on September 6 in Nairobi.
“The award came as a surprise since there are many talented strikers in the country but now that I have got it, I intend to do even more. My target this season was 20 goals and I’m one shy.
“I’m concentrating to ensure my team performs well since its success comes first,” Were said after receiving the gong engraved with his name that comes along with Sh50,000 in cash and a 42-inch smart television.
Were spent a week at Bidvest undergoing Trials with the University side but things didn’t go his way after getting a concussion while playing for the club in friendly before he was released to return home for further development.
According club, Were can return for another look in during the December mid season transfer window.
“Things went well in South Africa, the coach liked everything about me but he wanted somebody who would adapt their league immediately. He (coach) told me it will take two months to adapt which is impossible for him since he was under pressure to deliver.
“Most probably I will play abroad next season but my agent is working on it,” the 26-year-old explained.
Were, who has three months left with his contract with Tusker, was sorely missed by the Brewers who allowed him to leave for a two-week trial with the SPL side in South Africa after they failed to win in his absence.
Head coach, Francis Kimanzi was delighted his talisman is back for the remainder of the season as they seek to finish with a flourish after an underwhelming season by their standards.
“He (Were) should now improve on his weakness because it’s part of his development and if he can challenge top defenders in the country then he is one of the great strikers we have.
“Let’s see how he will perform in the national team then that will give us the measure where he will be in the next two years,” Kimanzi, who is facing a rough season after fading off as top contender, underlined.
“We will pick-up where we left in the coming fixture and get back to our winning ways. I know there will be many offers coming and I will be willing to hear from any of them since my contract is ending in three months,” the former Mathare United striker added.
His eye for the goal has seen Stars head coach, Bobby Williamson retain him in the provisional squad to host the Chipolopolo at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
“We don’t give our national team the attention it deserves because teams like Zambia they went to camp on 16th of August but things are different here, we still have the KPL games to play.
“I urge FKF or KPL if it’s time for the national team they should at least give players two months to prepare.
“Fans are expecting us to deliver against Zambia but it will be hard since the little time we have, is not enough for us to gel,” Were, who earned his national team debut September, 2013 urged.
