Gor Mahia forward George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo reveals where his future lies

©George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo Twitter.

FOOTBALL Gor Mahia forward George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo reveals where his future lies

Joel Omotto 12:30 - 29.07.2023

The ever-green attacker has explained his contract situation at K’Ogalo ahead of the 2023-24 season

Gor Mahia forward George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo is weighing his options with one week left before his contract expires.

Odhiambo added a seventh league title to his glittering collection when Gor won the Football Kenya Federation Premier League crown last term and after two seasons back at K’Ogalo, he is not sure whether he will be part of the club in 2023-24.

“In football you cannot be sure, anything can happen. If you get a good deal then everything can change,” Odhiambo told Pulse Sports.

“My contract expires on August 5 and we have not started talks. The club told me they will call me for talks when they finish with other players.

“My decision whether to extend or leave will depend on the offers that I will receive. I have had some teams in Kenya approach me but the offers do not meet my expectations. My agent is also talking to some clubs out of the country and I am waiting feedback.”

Blackberry, has had three stints at K’Ogalo, his love affair with the record champions beginning in 2009 when he signed aged 16 from Thur Gem High School. He was named the Most Promising Player that year before he was crowned Player of the Year the following campaign after which he left for Danish side Randers.

An unsuccessful spell in Denmark saw him leave the following year before trying his luck in Finland with Kuopino, Tanzania moneybags Azam, Shikar and Ulisses both in Armenia but he found it hard abroad and K’Ogalo welcomed him back in 2014.

His return to Gor came at a time K’Ogalo were a winning machine and he featured for the club from 2014-2019, winning five titles in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2018-19 before he left for Tusker where he claimed the 2020-21 crown but returned to Gor again in 2021, to win last season’s crown.

Injuries reduced the 30-year-old’s game time, forcing coach Jonathan McKinstry to use him sparingly, but he is back in training with the rest of the squad even with his future still unclear.

Gor have a number of players whose contract situations are yet to be resolved with goalkeeper Gad Mathews among those considering an exit following the departures of defender Dennis Ng'ang'a to Zambian outfit Zanaco with midfielder Peter Oudu and John Ochieng among the others to have left.