Monday night reports that Gor Mahia Ugandan-born Rwandan striker Meddie Kagere was spotted in Tanzania on Monday caught many including club officials flat footed.
Earlier in the day Soka25east had gathered that the dependable forward was booked at Seascape Hotel, Dar Es Salaam the previous night and was poised to complete a move to Simba.
Official word from Gor, however, indicated that the former Albania’s KF Tirana man was given some time to go see family back at home in Kigali, Rwanda.
This was odd especially at a time the club was scheduled to play two catch-up matches against Posta Rangers and Sony Sugar Tuesday and Friday this week in the KPL in Kisumu.
Kagere is the club’s top scorer and has started in almost all K’Ogalo’s league matches.
The player’s contract is expiring end of June and media in Tanzania has been awash with reports linking him to Simba and Yanga, but most were dismissed as mere rumors.
Other K’Ogalo stars who have been reported to be heading to Tanzania include Francis Kahata and Godfrey Walusimbi.
Kagere has enjoyed a great form this season and was a star performer for the coach Dylan Kerr’s side as they successfully defended their SportPesa Super Cup a few weeks ago in Nakuru.
He netted four times including a goal in the final which they won 2-0 against his would be new employers Simba.
Despite the super performances and the dancing and kissing of the crest after every goal, the player was non-committal about his future at the club.
Gor’s inability to sit him down in time to offer him a new deal only worked to his advantage at a time his profile kept souring regionally and beyond.
Speaking to us on 18th June, Kagere confirmed that talks had not started; “I’m really waiting to talk to them,” he said, while hinting at finding a new home.
“But I’m wondering if they know that I’m having other offers on the table, we’ve not talked, and I would’ve gone long time ago, but I’ll wait a little longer,” he added.
Before he “sneaked” to Tanzania, Kagere alongside another player were reportedly to sign new deals, but “a secretary” to a senior official was unavailable to oversee the proceedings.
He was reportedly asking for $50,000 sign-on fee for a new three-year-deal plus improved terms, demands Gor could not immediately agree to.
Simba’s millionaire president Mohammed “MO” Dewji on the other hand is said to be willing to part with $80,000 to land the experienced striker.
Gor are currently working on a fall back plan and will sign Uganda Cranes forward Erisa Ssekisambu and another foreign striker by the end of this week, according to a close source.
