Akumu staying put at Kaizer Chiefs

Despite being on the periphery, Kenyan international Anthony Akumu has expressed his desire to run down his contract at South African giants Kaizer Cheifs.

The former Gor Mahia midfielder has been handed limited playtime at Cheifs this season as he has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Soweto-based club.

Akumu revealed that he would like to see off his contract that expires in 2023 but would have to accept respect the club's decision should they terminate his contract.

“I’d really like to be here in the new season and beyond. I want to finish my contract here. But if the club decide otherwise, I will just accept it and look back to say I am grateful that I was part of this wonderful club,”

“This is one of the biggest teams in Africa and to be part of it is amazing… it’s one thing that is a privilege, but you and I understand how football works. So in case of the decision to let me go, I won’t take it badly at all,” said Akumu.

The lanky midfielder joined Amakhosi back in January 2020 from Zambian giants ZESCO United after impressive performances against Cheifs in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers.

Under the tenure of former Cheifs head coach Gavin Hunt, Akumu was mostly utilized as a central defender in the 35 appearances he made for the club.

“I am a midfielder, a central midfielder, but I can also play as a central defender, I played there before I came to Chiefs. When a coach puts you in a different position to the one you’re used to, it means he’s seen something in you,”

“I think I did my best… I helped the team where I was supposed to. I know our overall season didn’t go well because we wanted to finish in the top two but we ended up at number eight, which isn’t that bad because we’ll play in the MTN8,” added Akumu.

The 28-year-old will unlikely be sold by Cheifs as they are currently serving a transfer ban by FIFA over the signing of Malagasy player Andriamirado Andrianamimanana.