Ogunbote wants Helong, Gyan, Madaki back at Giwa FC

SportingLife can reveal that Giwa FC Technical Adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote is trying to use his influence to convince the trio of Charles Henlong, Amos Gyang and Chris Madaki to play for the club in the coming season which kicks off this weekend.

It is understood that the club’s captain Henlong, Gyang and Madaki at the end of last season made up their minds to leave the club and seek greener pasture elsewhere.

Part of the reasons for leaving the Jos Elephants, according to information available to SportingLife, is that the players want an increment in their wages. They also want to play for a big club where they can win laurels.

The players were the engine room of Giwa FC in the past two seasons since gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

SportingLife can also confirm that the three players have agreed terms with former league champions, Kano Pillars which they think could afford their wages demand. And they have been partaking in the club’s training since Sai Masu Gida started their pre-season campaign.

Helong and Gyang were part of Kano Pillars pre-season tours of Kaduna and Ijebu-Ode while Madaki joined them after returning from African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Ogunbote, who joined the team last month, has identified the trio as part of the players that can give the club a bite during this season campaign.

It is understood that the former 3SC handler has held talks with players and tried to persuade them to have a change of mind by coming back into the team.

Ogunbote also promised them to talk on their behalf to the club’s owner Ambassador Chris Giwa on their wage demands which he thinks could be resolved without any problem.

But one of the concerned players told SportingLife in Ijebu-Ode that they are not ready to return to Giwa FC this season.

“We understand that coach Ogunbote wants us back at Giwa FC but the club is not making any effort about our demands. We respect the coach and he should understand our plight too. As you can see that we are already training with Kano Pillars, an indication to show you that we have already made up our minds to join Kano Pillars,” one of the players told SportingLife.

“We are enjoying everything here and we are in Kano Pillars to win trophy and make names for ourselves.”