Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier has revealed that Ugandan international defender Godfrey Walusimbi sneaked out of the country to South Africa without their knowledge and consent. Walusimbi is reportedly negotiating a deal with PSL giants Kaizer Chiefs.
“Let it be known that Walusimbi made it to South Africa to meet Kaizer Chiefs without the club’s permission or notifying the club on his travel intentions. It’s unfortunate that a player can just decide on his own to travel to engage another club without our knowledge,” Rachier told official Gor Mahia website.
Rachier further revealed that Gor Mahia only got a call from Chiefs chairman asking if they could negotiate on the player but the club declined the request saying that what the player and Keizer Chiefs did was wrong because a running contract is in place.
“I got an alert from someone that he was traveling and the next thing was a call from Kaizer Chiefs chairman apologizing for that step and requesting if we could talk on a possible move.
“I declined to discuss anything and told Chiefs chairman l will hold a meeting with my EC then we will know what step to take. What Walusimbi did was wrong… Keizer Chiefs too did something wrong because that’s player tapping which is against stipulated rules yet the player has a running contract. There are clear and accepted produres if they wanted the player,” he added.
Walusimbi played against Bandari in Mombasa on Tuesday and was reported to have made it to South Africa on Thursday.
Gor Mahia are believed to be considering to take legal action against the South African side. The club is involved in the CAF CC and do not want to lose their star defender. But a source close to Gor has said that they will consider releasing the Ugandan if they receive KSh 20 million.
“Our target is to qualify for atleast the semi-finals of the Caf Confederation Cup and also retain the league. He (Walusimbi) is vital in helping us achieve this. If his admirers are hoping to lure him, then they have to compensate us with Sh20 million,” a club official who spoke off the record revealed.
Incidentally, South African website Soccer Laduma has also reported a story on Chiefs’ interest in the Uganda Cranes player.
PERSONAL TERMS
According to the website, the Amakhosi have been searching for a new full back since deciding against retaining both Tsepo Masilela and Sibusiso Khumalo with Lethogonolo Mirwa not considered good enough at this stage.
Walusimbi has about 18-months remaining on his contract with the Kenyan champions.
And Chiefs, who are rebuilding after struggling on the domestic front for the last few seasons, have until August 30, which is the final day of the South African transfer window, to strike a deal with Gor Mahia.
However, personal terms between the player and his potential employer are not expected to be a problem.
The 28-year old, who was part of Uganda Cranes’ squad during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, incurred the wrath of Gor Mahia’s management for going on a five-week strike early this year to protest the club’s failure to honour some financial agreements.
This forced him to sit out several matches, including the Caf Africa Champions League return leg match against Esperance in Tunisia, which the Kenyan side lost 1-0.