Mathare Exodus

By James Waindi

Former Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Mathare United are facing a mass exodus of players.

The exodus has forced the club, which had released its players for a two-week holiday, to convene an urgent meeting today to address the issue.

Three of the Slum Boys’ first team players have moved to rivals Sofapaka who are participating in the annual Tusker Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam.

The trio are striker John Onami and internationals Edgar ‘Fighter’ Ochieng and Kevin ‘Master’ Ochieng.

Their midfield dynamo Anthony ‘Gullit’ Khadudu is also said to have signed for Tusker who are seeking to revive their lost glory next season, while skipper Anthony Kimani, striker Paul Ambembo, veteran midfielder Titus Mulama and custodian Duncan Ochieng all said to be on their way out of the team for other clubs.

"We have been reading all this on paper and I would not like to comment until we hold a meeting tomorrow (today). The only player who I can confirm has left Mathare United officially is Kevin Ochieng, because his contract had run out and he had not renewed it. But as far as I’m concerned the rest are on holiday because we gave them a two-week break," said assistant coach Salim Mohammed.

Record signing

Kevin Ochieng is said to have been signed by the league champions on the eve of their trip to Dar es Salaam to a tune of Sh250, 000, but his colleague Edgar is said to have hit a record signing fee as the champions parted with Sh270, 000 for his services.

"I heard that players are leaving Mathare United in masses but I would only talk about myself because my contract with the club expired and I was free to join a team of my choice," Kevin Ochieng told FeverPitch on phone from Dar es Salaam.

Former champions Tusker faced the same scenario after failing to retain the league title last year as almost their entire first team players departed the club.

 

Read all about: KPL Mathare United

 

 

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