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Harun Shakava has dismissed retirement rumors revealing his plans for a strong comeback and ambitions for more football success.
On defense, former Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava has firmly dismissed swirling rumors of his retirement from football making it clear that hanging up his boots is not on the cards.
Despite being absent from competitive action since February, Shakava, at 32, is gearing up for a comeback pledging to return to Kenya’s top tier in the mid-season transfer window.
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Shakava has broken his silence on the retirement rumors that have circulated since his quiet departure from Nzoia Sugar FC, where he had been on loan from Kenya Police.
“I have never thought of retiring nor have I announced it. I am working hard behind the scenes to return in January and play at least three more seasons,” said Shakava as per SportsBoom.
Shakava’s absence from the pitch has been noticeable since February when he last played for Nzoia Sugar, after which he faded from the public eye.
However, the experienced defender insists that this break from football has been a strategic pause, not the end of his career.
His time off, he revealed, allowed him to focus on other commitments while also nursing a groin injury he sustained earlier this year.
"The break has enabled me to fully recover and think of my next steps in my career. I still feel strong at 32 and have something to offer to top-flight clubs," he added, sounding confident about his physical condition after the long layoff.
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Shakava revealed that he had been training diligently to stay fit and is optimistic that his body will be ready for competitive action when the January transfer window opens.
While Shakava is one of the most successful defenders in Kenyan football, having won five league titles with Gor Mahia and the FKF Cup in 2021, his hunger for more silverware remains undiminished.
“Even though I have won every domestic title, I want to come back because I still have the desire to win more,” Shakava stated, highlighting his motivation to return and extend his illustrious career by at least three more seasons.
Shakava’s desire to return to the pitch isn't solely motivated by club football ambitions.
Despite his success at the club level, Shakava was rarely given opportunities to represent his country on the international stage, something he hopes to change before he finally decides to step away from football.
"Despite my career with Gor Mahia, I have never had a consistent run with the national team. There were times when competition from senior players or other reasons made it hard to break through, but I’m determined to fight my way back," Shakava revealed.
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07:33 - 15.10.2024
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Former Harambee Stars and Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga has explained how he will use the experience he gained from playing in Europe to revolutionise Kenyan football.
He took inspiration from watching seasoned players from major African clubs like Zamalek and Al Ahly, who continued to perform at the highest level late into their careers.
Reflecting on the encounters against these teams and the national side's matches against Cameroon, Shakava believes that senior players can bring valuable experience to the squad.
"If you look at the teams that eliminated Kenyan teams from CAF matches, they had very senior players. Our matches against Cameroon have also shown that senior players have a role to play. I hope to play for the national team again," he said with determination.
Now, with his eyes set on January, Shakava is eager to write the next chapter of his career.
Whether he is chasing more trophies or fighting for a spot in the national team, one thing is clear—retirement is not an option yet for Harun Shakava.
Instead, the experienced defender is preparing for a strong return, aiming to remind the Kenyan football world why he remains one of the most decorated players in the country.
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