This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
David Mapigano, the Kenyan Premier League's record goalkeeper, has parted ways with Gor Mahia after two years, citing unpaid dues as the reason for his departure. The 2020-08-06 announcement comes as a shock to fans, who had grown accustomed to his exceptional goalkeeping skills.
Mapigano, nicknamed Kisu, had hinted at leaving Nairobi in March when the Kenyan top tier was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had expressed his desire to return to his home in Tanzania only if his dues were paid in full.
On Thursday, Azam FC, who finished third in the Tanzanian Premier League, announced that Mapigano had passed his medicals and signed a two-year deal that would keep him at Chamazi till 2022.
Gor Mahia head coach Steve Polack confirmed that Mapigano had spoken to him about his intention to leave. 'I talked to him over the phone a week ago and he said he wasn’t sure of coming back. A few days later we talked again and he confirmed that he would be leaving,' Polack said in an interview with Capital Sport.
Polack has already lost another keeper, Peter Odhiambo, and is now facing a financial crisis that may hinder his ability to sign new players. 'Everything now totally depends on how quick we solve the financial issue. David left because it couldn’t be resolved quick enough. Now we can’t even talk about new players because we have not fulfilled the financial obligations of those who are here,' Polack noted.
