Experienced tactician Salim Babu has found himself in the eye of a transfer storm involving two Kenyan Premier League clubs.
The gaffer’s career experienced a windfall after he successfully managed to crack a third-place finish with Kenyan Premier League minnows Nzoia Sugar last season.
Matters came to a head on Monday, moments after Babu reportedly finalized a deal that secured him a role with the law enforcers as their assistant coach.
A source at the club privy to the transfer intrigues confirmed that Babu had penned a deal. “Yes, he indeed joined us on Monday and the deal cannot be reversed. We have acquired him at the request of head coach Francis Baraza,” said the source.
“Babu worked as Baraza’s assistant at Sony Sugar in 2006 when the defunct club won the league and so we believe they have a chemistry that could work magic for us also,” the source said.
The development took an interesting twist though when Nzoia's chief executive officer, Anthony Fungututi, dismissed the reports as misleading, insisting that Babu had not deserted the Bungoma-based millers. “Babu has a deal running contract until the tail end of 2024,” Fungututi told the media.
“We are equally surprised because Babu has not displayed any signs he intends to leave. The law requires him to write a letter requesting us to terminate his contract. Nothing of that kind has happened, so we are treating the news as rumors. As far as we are concerned, Babu is still our employee.”
Contacted to weigh in on the matter, the gaffer said he would clear the air in due time. “I’ll let you know once I decide to leave. I’ll use the official information channels to communicate in the event I decide to make such a move,” Babu remarked. Babu was impressive in the concluded season, where he catapulted the Millers to a fourth-place finish with 64 points.
Initially brought in to salvage Nzoia Sugar from imminent relegation, Babu’s splendid performance befuddled those who underrated his potential to crack a top-three finish.
Meanwhile, Police have reportedly outwitted rival clubs in the race for the signature of mercurial Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Tyson “Duch Duch” Otieno.
Earlier reports had indicated that Otieno was on the radar of three KPL behemoths Tusker, AFC Leopards, and Gor Mahia. “Yes, Otieno arrived at the club on Friday and penned a deal. He decided to join us because he admires the cutthroat competition in the club which he believes could propel him to new heights in his career.”
The Otieno had been fancied to link up with his brother Austin Odhiambo at record champions Gor Mahia.
