‘Bad boy’ Gattuso quits Gor Mahia, again!
By DAVID KWALIMWA
Gor Mahia midfielder Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth has left the club over what he terms as fulfilled promises from the management.
This is the second time in four seasons that the combative midfielder is leaving the club under unclear circumstances.
“I have met with the club chairman (Ambrose Rachier) and we have agreed to go separate ways. Infact, I am heading over there to collect my release letter,” Okoth told Nairobi News on Wednesday morning.
According to the player, details of the deal thrashed out with his soon to be ex-employer will see him forfeit more than Sh500,000 in accrued pay arrears.
“The club owes me Sh600,000 as part of my sign on fees and salary for December. I have agreed with the club chairman to write that off, in exchange for my release letter. I feel the working conditions are not conducive for me at Gor Mahia and the lack of trust that exits doesn’t motivate me,” the Kenyan international midfielder said.
Three years ago, the midfielder quit the club in similarly controversial circumstances before going on to join Tusker.
SALARY ARREARS
Reliable sources claim several of Gor Mahia players and staff, including coach Frank Nuttall, is owed salary arrears stretching back several months.
This has led to fear of a possible player exodus at the team as was the case at the end of 2014, when three big names, David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito and Dan Sserunkuma left the club.
Speculation is rife that the likes of Harun Shakava, Khalid Aucho, Jerim Onyango, Micheal Olunga and Meddie Kagere are all considering moves away from the club.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia have opted to skip this year’s edition of the annual Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Dar es Salaam.
According to the club’s secretary Ronald Ngala, the management arrived at this decision so as to allow the players rest after a grueling season.
“We have already told them (the organisers) that we can’t compete in the tournament because of the dates and timing. We have already given our players and technical team a break,” Ngala said.
However, Ngala said the Kenyan Premier League champions may opt to take part in other pre-season tournaments, include an invite to play Ethiopian giants St Georges as well as competing in the inaugural Fidel Odinga Memorial Cup.