Former Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava has dismissed claims that he has hung up his boots following his lengthy absence from competitive football.
Shakava, has been out of competitive football since February when he last played for the relegated Nzoia Sugar, albeit on loan from Kenya Police.
Rumours of his retirement began to surface after he quietly left Nzoia, barely weeks after signing, and after he failed to secure a move in the off-season transfer window.
However, Shakava has come out to address the retirement claims saying that the idea of calling it a day is yet to cross his mind despite being a free agent.
EXPECT THREE MORE SEASONS FROM SHAKAVA
While rubbishing the retirement talks, Shakava pledged to return in the mid-season transfer window and grace the Kenyan top tier for three more seasons.
The league-winning defender with Gor Mahia told SportsBoom that he was labouring behind the scenes to condition his body for competitive football after being out for more than six months.
Shakava said the break he has taken from the public limelight has given him room to attend to official duties and plot for a strong return to competitive football. The break, also helped him nurse a groin injury that he picked while in action for Police against Bandari at Mbaraki Stadium.
He said age was still on his side and his body was reacting positively in training, giving him hope of playing at the top level for three more seasons.
“I have never thought of retiring nor have I announced it. I am working hard behind the scenes to return in January and play at least three more seasons. The break has enabled me to fully recover and think of my next steps in my career. I still feel strong at 32 and have something to offer to top-flight clubs,” he told SportsBoom in a telephone interview.
SHAKAVA’S HUNGER FOR MORE TITLES
Even though Shakava has won every domestic title, he revealed that one of the reasons for his comeback was the insatiable hunger for more titles.
Shakava won a whopping five league titles with Gor and skippered the team to clinch the FKF Cup in 2021 in what was his second spell at the club. He won the Zambian Super League title with Nkana Red Devils in 2020 alongside compatriots; Duke Abuya and Duncan Otieno.
Shakava, who is arguably the most decorated defender in the domestic competitions-in recent times-he wants more before formally exiting the stage to focus on either coaching, run a sports agency or become a trainer.
“I have seen questions being asked on what could motivate me to return yet I had won everything. I still yearn for more titles and it is also among the reasons I am dusting my boots ready for January,” he said.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH HARAMBEE STARS
Besides winning trophies, the former Kakamega Homeboyz defender feels he has never served the national team to satisfaction.
Despite his glittering career with Gor, Shakava rarely made it to the national team and when he did, playing time wasn’t coming by partly due to competition from his seniors and the alleged ill-discipline.
He admitted that the senior players at Zamalek, Al Ahly and the Indomitable Lions whom he watched while in action against Kenya Police, Gor and Stars motivated him to fight to make a return to the national team.
“If you look at the teams that eliminated Kenyan teams from CAF matches, they had very senior players. Our matches against Cameroon have also shown that senior players have a role to play. I hope to play for the national team again,” he added.
