AFC to Gor: It’s Sh400,000 for Masika or nothing

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Gor Mahia defender Eric Masika. PHOTO/ FILE | NATION 

By JOHN ASHIHUNDU
Posted  Saturday, December 31  2011 at  21:45

AFC Leopards has given Gor Mahia a New Year’s gift: the last chance to take Sh400,000 and release Eric Masika or lose the entire amount altogether.

This comes as the Kenyan Premier League side extended the contracts of its dependable players in a bid to ensure stability.

Gor, who are preparing for their Confederation Cup campaign, have insisted on Sh600,000 for the international defender.

But Leopards spokesman Richard Ekhalie said they will not increase the figure, adding that if Gor refuses to release the defender they would invoke Article 18.3 of the Fifa statutes.

The football world governing body’s rule states that a player may enter into a contract with another club if his current contract is within six months from expiry.

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Masika’s contract with Gor ends on June 27, meaning he was within the expiry limited since December 27.

The player, who hails from Kitale, has already written to Gor seeking his release, saying he is ready to buy out his contract. That would cost him Sh150,000.

Be more reasonable

“We gave Gor Mahia a chance to benefit from the Sh400,000 offer and we are asking them to be more reasonable and take the offer,” said Ekhalie, “otherwise if Masika opts to buy the contract it will be worth only Sh150,000.”

When Masika declared his interest in the arch-rivals Gor placed a Sh1 million price tag on him.

Leopards has termed the Sh600,000 price too high for a player who has only five months on his contract.

“Gor Mahia gave us their price and we have responded with our offer. We are now waiting for them to inform us of their decision before we conclude the move. I’m sure we will reach an agreement soon,” Angode added.

AFC Leopards are known for their long purse when it comes to spending on players having spent millions to bring in six new faces during mid-season.

Masika has already bid farewell to his team mates and Gor Mahia fans, thanking them for their support throughout his stay on the green side.

Central defence maestro Nahimana Jonas is one of the beneficiaries of the player appraisal scheme initiated by Ingwe after adding two more years to his contract.

Others are Laurent Tumba who added two years to his contract, midfield maestro Charles Okwemba who added one year and Oscar Kadenge among others.
AFC Organizing Secretary Timothy Lilumbi who was privy to the negotiations said that player appraisals will be an ongoing process aimed at reviewing terms of players vis-à-vis the duration of contract and performance on the pitch.

He said that the club has adopted a policy where player contract negotiations will commence with one year of contract remaining to avoid destabilization of the playing unit.