SOCCER: Coastal Union beat Simba SC to sign Gor ace
Gor Mahia midfielder Rama Salim celebrates after scoring during his time at the Kenyan champions. Salim has signed for Coastal Union of Tanga ready for the start of the 2014/25 Vodacom Premier League next month. photo | file
What you need to know:
- The Kenyan midfield kingpin, who helped Gor Mahia to the Kenyan Premier League last season, signed a two-year contract
Dar es Salaam. Coastal Union have beaten Simba SC for the services of former Gor Mahia midfielder Rama Salim.
The Kenyan midfield kingpin, who helped Gor Mahia to the Kenyan Premier League last season, signed a two-year contract, according to a club insider.
Salim returned recently from South Africa where he failed to secure a deal after undergoing trials with two clubs and opted to sign for the Tanga-based outfit instead of Simba.
“Rama jetted into Tanga recently and has already signed a two-year deal with Coastal Union.
“Simba were also after his services, but we managed to jump ahead of them and got the player whom we believe will help strengthen our squad,” the source told The Citizen.
Coastal Union secretary Kassim El Siagi also confirmed the acquisition of Rama adding that Coastal Union will be challenging for the title in the forthcoming season.
“We have done perfect signings this season and I believe we are the team to watch. This time round…we have gone for quality and not quantity. We are ready for the season to begin.”
Coastal Union is coached by Yusuf Chipo and has been home to Kenyans Chrispine Odula and Jerry Santos. The two have since left the club with Odula re-joining Bandari.
Salim had no club after returning home last Tuesday from South Africa where he attended trials with AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic.
The Kenyan was facing an uncertain future after he apparently failed to get a club in South Africa and had declined to extend his contract with Gor Mahia before heading for trials.
“I came back on Monday, but have not yet decided my next move,” he said when reached for comment.
Before his latest move to the Tanga-based outfit, Gor Mahia had revealed that the door was open for Salim to rejoin the club.
“It is disappointing that he failed to get a club in South Africa and now we are sorry for him.
“We advised him to extend his contract with us before he left but he declined. However, we are still ready to welcome him back and keep him till the end of the season,” said Gor Mahia official Ronald Ngala.
