Gor Ace Kahata: I Have Not Yet Signed For Simba, Seda Named Sharks Assistant Coach

NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC and Harambee Stars midfield ace, Francis Kahata, has denied reports he has signed with Tanzanian league winners, Simba SC maintaining however his switch to the Dar-es-Salaam giants is imminent.

Speaking to SportPesa News from Cairo on Monday afternoon, the three-time SportPesa Premier League (SPL) winner disclosed he would open discussions with the 19-time Tanzania league winners on Tuesday after their Egypt 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash with Senegal.

At the same time, Gor disputed reports that the SPL titleholders had swooped for Rwanda international midfielder Djabel Manishimwe as a possible replacement for Kahata whose future has been in the air since his contract at K’Ogalo expired at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

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“The figures and reports that are being put online are just assumptions as of now. Nothing concrete has been finalised.

“I have not yet signed for Simba and as I had earlier stated, I will make a decision after the AFCON but that is not to say that I will not move to Tanzania, it is a move I really want to make,” Kahata explained.

Kahata, who scored the crucial goal against South African side Super Sport United FC last year that sent Gor to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, has been instrumental for the record 17-time domestic league champions after signing with the club following a failed stint in Europe.

Tanzanian media reports published Monday suggested that Kahata- known to his legion of fans as 'Kachi'- would receive a mouth-watering KSh4m signing bonus and a KSh350,000 monthly salary having signed with Simba who clinched their 20th title this season under Belgian head coach Patrick Aussems.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi raided Gor last year and clinched the signature of another crowd favourite, Uganda born Rwandese forward, Meddi Kagere, who has since turned into a much adored figure among the Simba faithful who gave him the MK14 moniker.

The 2018 SportPesa Cup beaten finalists are hoping the deadly combination of Kahata and Kagere that catapulted the Kenyan giants to two of the three regional invitational titles as well as two SPL crowns will be replicated at the National Main Stadium.

At the same time, Gor deputy Secretary General Ronald Ngala refuted rumours that also gained currency on Monday they had sealed the signing of Manishimwe, saying it is not even in the interest of the club to sign a midfielder saying they are only but scouting for a striker.

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‘’Our midfield is packed and we cannot sign a midfielder. The coach is only interested in a striker and we are busy scouting for one either locally or an import," Ngala told.

The Rayon Sports SC midfielder had once signed for Gor’s eternal rivals AFC Leopards SC but duped them by failing to report to the club.

Elsewhere, SportPesa Cup winners Kariobangi Sharks FC announced the appointment of former AFC Leopards SC midfielder Ezekiel Seda as the club’s new assistant coach.

This will be Seda’s first assignment on a technical bench since he made the decision to retire early from active football after failing to recover from a knee injury he suffered in a league match against Bandari FC in February.

"The Club would like to announce that we have parted ways with our assistant Coach Collins Omondi on mutual consent. We are grateful for the commitment, professionalism, and passion that he displayed during his stay at the club and we wish him the best in his future endeavours," Sharks announced on their Facebook page.

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Omondi, alias 'Korea' leaves Sharks after one and a half seasons as William Muluya’s assistant and is rumoured to be taking up a head coach job at National Super League side Nairobi Stima FC.

Seda’s first test is a monumental game when Sharks become the first SPL side to host an English Premier League side on Kenyan soil.

Nine-time English league winners Everton FC will travel to Kenya to battle Sharks on Sunday (July 7) at the MISC Kasarani.