Ochaya’s Wits move hits snag
Ochaya’s Wits move hits snag
KAMPALA. KCCA and Uganda Premier League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joseph Ochaya’s dream of sealing a lucrative move to South African side Bidvest Wits this season is all over.
According to reliable sources at Lugogo, the deal fell through after both clubs failed to agree on the transfer fee.
Whereas Bidvest Wits, through their CEO Jonathan Schloss, bargained for a price below $150,000 for the player who had excelled at the one-week trials, KCCA is reported to have stuck on their $300,000 (Shs1.1b) valuation – because he is still young, plays for the national team and has high resale value.
The South African club has since closed the door on further transfer negotiations arguing Ochaya’s price overshoots their budgetary plans.
“We are going to say our final word soon. I’m not in position to speak about the transfer now,” KCCA CEO David Tamale said yesterday.
Ochaya, who has had an imperious start to the season with KCCA, setting up three goals, is frustrated by the sad news but remains optimistic he will get another shot at professional ranks again.
“Wits considered my price to be high so they went slow on the move. It hurts because I had thought this to be my breakthrough moment but for now I will keep my focus at helping Uganda Cranes qualify for Afcon. May be then better chances may surface,” a crestfallen Ochaya told Daily Monitor yesterday.
Ochaya, who had short professional stints in Vietnam and Ghana, had hoped to join the University boys before the August 31 deadline just like his Ugandan colleague Khalid Aucho who joined Baroka FC on Wednesday.
