Former Gor Mahia custodian eyes return to competitive football next season

Former Gor Mahia goalkeeper Joel Bataro has announced a plan to grace competitive football again from the next campaign after enjoying a season-long break out of the game.

The experienced custodian decided to trade competitive football for studies at least for a season after leaving National Super League (NSL) side Dandora Love at the end of last season.

Bataro who was initially taking his accounts course at Mt. Kenya University on a part-time basis elected to switch to full time late last year and consequently, he has had to put his football career on hold.

However, the former FC Talanta gloveman revealed that he was on the verge of wrapping the unit which he said required maximum concentration and would seek a new club in the next transfer window. 

"I will be out of competitive football until the end of the season for I am taking a unit which is time-consuming. I was initially studying on part-time basis which allowed me to play football but had to sacrifice a season to handle the demanding unit. I will be back next season," he said. 

Before changing his mode of studying, the goalkeeper had been linked with a move to Mathare United who were seeking a replacement for David Okello who decamped to KCB FC but the deal did not materialize. 

Mathare ended up snapping Bryne Omondi from Posta Rangers and further brought in Tom Kangeta. The club recently beefed the department by signing Richard Ebenyo from Murang'a Seal. 

The shot-stopper who has previously played for the defunct Thika United, AFC Leopards and Vihiga United in the meantime said he had not fully ghosted the game as he spares time to train with Mathare North All-Stars that has former goalkeeper Sammy Okinda handling the keeper's department.