Waruru?Yes, I’d sign him, says Matano

AFC Leopards coach Robert Matano hopes to reunite with Ulinzi Stars hit man Stephen Waruru in case the ace ditches the military outfit.

Matano won the 2016 East Africa Military Cup while coaching Ulinzi and it is during this spell that he worked closely with the Kenyan international.

Waruru bagged a brace in the 4-0 win against Tusker on Saturday in what he claimed was his final match, taking his league season tally to 13 goals, four behind the league’s top scorer, Kariobangi Sharks striker, Masoud Juma.

However, Ulinzi Stars vice-chairman, Joe Birgen, has downplayed speculation on the soldier’s future, saying “it stands no ground unless a formal notice is forwarded by the player”.

“As a club we have formality. We don’t respond to player reactions on social media. We are waiting for his formal communication to know what the way forward will be .But for us there are  times when a player maybe retiring or maybe wants to have a new life, so we cannot speculate for now,” Birigen told Citizen Digital.

In a post match interview with reporters after the Saturday match, the versatile attacker claimed that the match might be his last for the soldiers.

He said: “I have played my last match for Ulinzi Stars and it was great to score two goals against a big team like Tusker. I want to pursue other goals and want to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, coaches and everyone at Ulinzi Stars for the support they accorded me throughout my career here. I want to take a rest before I venture into my next move. Probably God knows what I will do,” Waruru said.

And shortly after making the statement, Matano has come out in the open stating that he will be keeping a close eye on the player.

“Waruru is my product and my former player. I would appreciate an opportunity to be reunited with him and I would really need him here at AFC. If he leaves Ulinzi we won’t hesitate to sign him,” said Matano whose Leopards outfit make a return to the continental club football next year where they’ll compete in the Caf –Confederations Cup beginning February.

Waruru’s loss will be a big blow to the soldiers considering their other star player Samuel Onyango is close to completing a move to record 16 time champions Gor Mahia.

Should Waruru fulfill his dream, he will follow in the footsteps of his former team-mate, forward John Mark Makwatta who ditched the military life for a professional football career inking a deal with Zambian outfit Buildcon FC.