Gor close in on Mathares Johanna, Jagoal hangs his gloves

Record Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia are closing in on the signing of Harambee Stars international, Eric Johanna, from domestic rivals Mathare United.

K’Ogalo are set for talks with the midfielder who was voted the league’s best in his position in 2015 on Thursday with the club denying they had sealed the deal.

The news will lift the Green Army that lost crowd favourite Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma who left the club for Georgia with the move confirmed on Monday evening.

Team Manager Jolawi Obondo said talks to bring Johanna to Gor were at an advanced stage exuding optimism he will be part of their 2017 squad that is seeking to wrest the KPL title back from Tusker FC who ended their three-year hold on the trophy last season.

“We are due to meet Johanna on Thursday at 10am and from there we shall let you know the way forward. It is all over the media that we have signed Johanna but we are yet to reach a deal,” Obondo confirmed to Citizen Digital.

At the same time, K’Ogalo have raided relegated Ushuru FC and Mathare again and returned with their goal keepers, Shaban Odhonji and Peter Odhiambo.

This follows the redeployment of long serving captain and former first choice custodiam Jerim ‘Jagoal’ Onyango who now becomes the Under 18 team head coach.

Onyango has also shown interest in politics and will vie for the Member of County Assembly civic seat in Ugenya in the forthcoming August General Elections.

However, the team manager did not disclose whether or not they have signed any striker.

“We can also confirm that the towering and overlapping Burundian captain and defender Karim Nzigyimana has penned a further two-year contract,” Obondo announced.

Uganda Cranes Godfrey Walusimbi, who is currently in Gabon to do duty for his country at the 2017 Afcon and the Rwandese pair of Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge have also extended their stay in K’Ogalo.

Meanwhile, Gor will leave the country later this week for a friendly match in Khartoum Sudan against local giants Al Hilal while another planned pre-season friendly with a Ugandan top tier team could be cancelled due to lack of confirmation from the side.

Jolawi said they were prepared for the DStv Super Cup season opener against Tusker at Kasarani  on January 29.

GOR SIGNINGS LIST

Goalkeepers; Shaban Odhonji from Ushuru FC and Peter Odiambo from Mathare United.

Defenders; Bernard Ochieng from Vihiga FC and Joshua Onyango from Western Stima

Midfielders; Rwandese Jean Batista Mugiraniza formerly of Azam Tanzania, Philemon Otieno from Ushuru FC, Alpha Onyango from Gor Youth, Jeconia Oyuga from Technical University of Kenya.

Others include one of their own who was on loan to Posta Rangers Timothy Otieno, Oliva Maloba from City Stars and AFC Leopard’s John Ndirangu.