AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has given shocking details on what could be pushing Rwandan striker Arthur Gitego from the Den after just joining in February.
AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has revealed that Rwandan striker Arthur Gitego is being frustrated at the club and that is why he could be looking for an escape route.
Gitego joined Leopards from Rwandan side Marine FC in February after months of being linked with the club but had been quoted this week saying that he is looking to quit Ingwe in June, just four months into his two-year contract.
It has now emerged that the 22-year-old, whom coach Tomas Trucha has been planning to build a team around, could have been dragged into Leopards’ leadership wrangles with a section of officials not warming up to his signing.
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“There are so many issues around him so we are trying to talk to him,” Shikanda told Pulse Sports. “There are some people within the club who are frustrating his stay because they were not happy when we signed him.”
“We thought we were building something [good] but we have realised there are others who want us to fail. As a player, you cannot be happy at a place where some want you and others do not want you,” he added.
“This club has so many issues, we have people who have personal interests and are happy when we fail.”
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Speaking to Rwanda’s Times Sports, Gitego expressed a desire to join paid ranks in Europe after recently earning national team call-ups for friendlies against Botswana and Madagascar.
“The target is to improve my game, and I am looking forward to playing in Europe, where football is more advanced and can change you into a top player. It is my dream to play there, and I have to work for it,” Gitego told the outlet.
Shikanda has admitted he would not stand in the way of the striker if a suitable offer arrived from any club.
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“A player can leave whenever they want so long as there is an agreement between the two clubs,” said the Leopards supremo.
Gitego has, however, come out to deny the reports, terming news of his desire to quit Ingwe 'lies.'
"I don’t know how it started and I don’t know where it comes from. I don’t care. I want to let you know that I am here at Ingwe for two years; I am not going anywhere. I am happy here in the club; my heart, my soul, my energy, all are here. We are pushing to keep fighting to put the club where it belongs, to win trophies with the club," the striker posted on social media on Friday.
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Even as Gitego has denied the reports, Shikanda’s revelations come at a time when the Ingwe leadership has put out an image of a united front during the club’s 12-day 60th anniversary celebrations that culminated in a friendly match against Spanish fourth tier club AE Ramassa last weekend.
It is also a worrying update for Leopards supporters who were hopping that stability had returned to the Den and would now enjoy sustained success as the club seeks to implement the many promises made during the celebrations.
Gitego started life at Leopards in great form, scoring two goals in as many starts, and will be relied upon for goals for the rest of the campaign with Ingwe looking to finish strongly in the league and win the FKF Cup.
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