Tusker won’t beef up squad, ‘not interested’ in Kipkirui – Obiny

League leaders Tusker FC will not sign any player in the current transfer window, club chief executive officer Charles Obiny has said. The Brewers are perched atop the league standings on 32 points from 14 games,  six points ahead of second-placed KCB and Obiny opines they are content with the ‘look’ of the playing unit.

At the same time Obiny has rubbished reports that they’ve ‘signed’ former Gor Mahia striker Nicholas Kipkirui saying at no time did they bid for the player’s signature or engage in any talks.

“We have had no talks with the striker. We only understand he left Gor but we are not privy to his next destination,’’ explained Obiny.

Kipkirui who joined K’Ogalo from Zoo Kericho has reportedly joined Kenya Defence Forces and will turn out for Ulinzi Stars upon completing his military training.

Gor Mahia chairman confirmed the departure of the striker saying he had requested for a release but did not indicate his destination. Our sources indicate that he was absorbed by the military side during the just ended military recruitments and will now feature for the club.

Said Obiny:  “As a matter of fact, we are full house and neither releasing nor signing any player. Our house is in order and we are confident with our squad.”

Signs of Kipkirui leaving Gor Mahia had been evident when he failed to travel with the team to Algeria for the return leg of the CAF Champions League playoffs against Algeria’s Belouizdad even after playing a key role in the win over APR of Rwanda, in the Caf  Champions League preliminary fixture, with a last minute winner in Nairobi.

He gave no reasons for shunning the trip to Algeria but the then stand-in coach, now club assistant coach Sammy Omollo ‘Pamzo’ termed as ‘personal reasons’.

Kipkurui joined K’Ogalo in 2018 from Kericho side Zoo FC and has featured for KÓgalo both locally and at  the international level. He joins a host of experienced players who have decamped Gor in the face of tough financial turmoil.

Meddie Kagere, Francis Kahata, Joash Onyango, have all decamped to Simba SC while Jacquess Tuyisenge and Kipkirui have also followed suit for pastures new, elsewhere.

With Gor out of continental assignments, and with mixed results in the local scene, they’ll need to sign a proven striker to fill the void left by Kipkirui.

K’Ogalo face Kakamega Homeboyz on Wednesday March 3 in Kakamega and will be striving to bounce back to full winning ways after suffering two painful defeats in the hands of Western Kenya sides Vihiga United and Nzoia Sugar.