Blow to Tusker as club captain quits amid title race

Tusker FC's Hashim Sempala (left) during an FKF Premier League match at Kasarani on Sunday, Jan 3, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Tusker FC have been dealt a significant blow with their captain Hashim Sempala leaving the club after his two-year contract expired on Tuesday.

Sempala left at a crucial stage of the FKF Premier League and leaders Tusker will have to do without their captain in their six remaining matches. 

He has been instrumental for the brewers in the midfield this season as they close in on the league title.

The 11-time champions are currently one point above KCB in the race to winning the 2021 title and will have to adapt without the Ugandan star.

Tusker announced the exit of the Ugandan midfielder on their social media pages, thanking him for his services.

“We would like to confirm that our captain Hashim Sempala is leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract. The midfielder said his final goodbyes to his teammates after Tuesday morning’s training session,” said Tusker. 

Captain Tusker FC's Hashim Sempala during an FKF Premier League match against Mathare United at Kasarani on Sunday, Jan 31, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Tusker’s chairman Daniel Aduda confirmed the 26-year-old midfielder opted to leave the club for greener pastures.

“We want to thank Hashim for his services and what he has offered to the club.”

“We had a mutual conversation where he informed us of his intention to seek greener pastures after the expiry of his contract and as a club, we respected his decision,” said Aduda in the club’s statement.

Sempala joined Tusker in 2016 from Uganda’s Bul FC and was part of the team that then bagged a double in the 2016 season, winning the FKF-PL title and GOTV Shield Cup.

However, in 2019, Sempala switched allegiances by signing for record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia. 

Six-months into his two-year contract at Gor, Sempala returned to Tusker where he replaced Duncan Ochieng as the club’s captain.