By Samuel Gacharira,

With the mid-season transfer break fast approaching, Tusker have made an early acquisition in the shape of former Sofapaka defender Eugene Asike in a bid to strengthen their backline that has already leaked a dozen times after only eleven games.

Asike, who was placed third in the 2012 FOYA awards defender of the year category, has put pen to paper on a two year deal that will see him feature for the brewers until June 2017.

This puts an end to speculation about the future of the one-time Bidvest Wits trialist who was involved in a gruesome tussle with his former employers that culminated in termination of his contract over unpaid dues.

Not only had Batoto ba Mungu not paid his salary for three months but also failed to settle his sign-on fee as had been agreed in their initial contract. As a result, he wrote a formal letter seeking to terminate his contract citing Article 14 of the FIFA Regulations on the Transfer and Status of Players.

Sofapaka’s reluctance in issuing him the release letter, prompted Asike to go to the Industrial Court. However, he later withdrew the case and took it to the league’s Independent Disciplinary and Complains Committee (IDCC) after all parties involved agreed to abide by the decision of the football judicial body. IDCC ruled the player be released unconditionally.

Francis Kimanzi is a happy man indeed since the center half is eligible to play in the Kenyan Premier League right away despite signing outside the transfer window as his case has been treated as “special” by the league body.

Speaking to the league’s official portal, Tusker’s newest acquisition confirmed this recent development, “The KPL IDCC reviewed the manner in which my contract was terminated and found that I had followed every procedure. My case was therefore marked as urgent and I was cleared to play as soon as I found a club. I am working hard to gain full fitness and hopefully I shall play before the first leg of the season ends”.

That notwithstanding, he will have to contend for a starting place in central defence with Donald Mosoti,Lloyd Wahome,Jockins Atudo and James Situma

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com