Fresh twist in Shakava's transfer saga as Zambian giants Nkana denies link with Gor captain

Gor Mahia Defender Haron Shakava against Nasr Athletic Hussein Dey from Algeria during their CAF Confederation Cup group D match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, February 24, 2019. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Zambian Super League giants Nkana have denied reports that they are close to signing want-away Gor Mahia captain Haron Shakava, thus reigniting transfer speculation surrounding the defender.

Shakava, who has less than six months left on his current deal, has been linked with a move to the 12-time Zambian champions as well as their rivals Zanaco, Tanzanian giants Yanga and Kenyan Premier League returnees Wazito.

Unconfirmed reports had indicated that the Harambee Stars centre half had yesterday flown to Lusaka to complete his move to the Kitwe based outfit.

But in an interview with The Standard Sports, Nkana’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Chakatazya vehemently refuted the claims.

“I don’t know a player by that name (Haron Shakava). I’m hearing this for the first time from you. That’s news for me.

“We have not talked to any Kenyan club over a possible transfer of a player from there,” said Chakatazya on phone.

Nkana, the home of Kenyan duo of Musa Mohammed and Duncan Otieno, will not be making a return to the continental football this season after finishing seventh in the Group B Zone of the ZSL last term. Nkana bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 3-2 on aggregate to CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in their quarter-finals debut last season.

When contacted, a Gor official, who sought anonymity said, the defender could be using Zambian clubs as ‘proxy’.

The record Kenyan champions appear to have started preparing for life after Shakava as they recently roped in Maurice Ojwang’ from Western Stima on a three-year deal.

“Shakava claims he got offers from Zambia, but from what I’ve gathered he could be going to Wazito. I really don’t know if he is in Zambia right now,” said the official.

But Shakava, who joined Gor in 2014 from Kakamega Homeboyz, had vowed to see out his contract at K’Ogalo last week after the quarter-final elimination from the Cecafa Kagame Cup in Kigali.

“It’s true I’ve received a couple of offers both within and outside the county, but I’m not keen on leaving Gor Mahia now.

“ I still have a running contract with the club and it would be important to see it out,” Shakava told Standard Sports.

“I know in football, things happen so fast but let’s just wait for the contract to expire then see what follows.

“But if indeed the teams interested in me are serious, let them first engage my current employer.”

Shakava’s imminent departure would be an enormous blow to the side that has already lost two of its star players.

Rwandan international Jacques Tuyisenge has joined Angola giants Petro Atletico on a reported Sh15 million transfer fees while midfield maestro Francis Kahata is currently in South Africa for pre-season with Simba SC after completing a lucrative two-year deal with the Tanzanian giants as a free agent.

It remains to be seen if the Kenyan international will play in Zambia or Kenya in the new league season.