STARS ABROAD ‘Fake news’ - Joash Onyango refutes reports of leaving Simba

The former Gor Mahia defender has insisted that he is still committed to Wekundu wa Msimbazi following media reports that he submitted a transfer request

Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango has denied reports that he has asked to leave Tanzanian giants Simba Sports Club.

Reports in Tanzanian media last month said that the 30-year-old is ‘fed up’ with the criticism labelled at him by fans and pundits, especially this season, when he has been the punching bag of some sort whenever Simba lose.

Fans turned on him in April when Wekundu wa Msimbazi were eliminated from the Champions League by holders Wydad Casablanca at the quarter-final stage, having done the same during the group stage match against Raja Casablanca, and it is on this backdrop that he reportedly asked to leave.

However, ‘Berlin Wall’, as he is popularly known, has refuted the claims, saying he is fully committed to the Tanzanian giants where he has a year remaining on his contract.

“A lot has been said, people seem to know more about me than myself but my issue was not playing early in the season but when the coach left, I started playing,” Onyango said during an interview with the club’s in-house channel.

“I have not said anything about leaving. Pressure is everywhere and, on every player, so after the Wydad game, people said I had asked to leave but that is not the case. I still have a contract at Simba so if the bosses decide to terminate it is okay, because I have not signed here for life.

“I don’t blame the fans, they have a right to be annoyed but what has been written about me leaving is not correct. I have not talked to anyone about it. I am still at Simba.”

Onyango joined Simba from Gor Mahia in August 2020, initially on a two-year contract, and agreed fresh terms last June, extending his stay for another two years.

He has been a mainstay in Simba’s defence, playing nearly every match alongside his centre-back partner Congolese Henoc Inonga Baka, with Brazilian tactician Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo, alias Robertinho, fully trusting him after he had fallen out of favour under former coach Zoran Maki.

While he is happy to have been playing, he is not delighted with the season Simba have had as they are set to end the 2022-23 campaign empty handed.

“The season has not been good to me, the technical bench and all our fans because we have ended empty handed. We have not won the league, Azam Cup and Champions League so next season we must reach the target. Next season, we want the league, cup and God willing, reach the Champs League final,” he added.

The former Western Stima defender has three trophies with Simba; the league title and FAT Cup in 2020-21 as well as the Mapinduzi Cup last season.