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As is characteristic of most big name professionals, its never enough to just sit down on the bench and not seeing much game time. After a glittering career with Guingamp that eventually led Bakary Kone to sign for the League 1 giants  Lyon in 2011, netting up to 86 caps. Kone hasn’t seen much first team action recently.   For that reason a number of EPL teams made inquiries on the Lyon defender but it was Atalanta from Italy who really showed firm interest on the Burkina Faso International. However with Lyon offloading two other central defenders by end of January, it was mission impossible when we approached the player with an offer  to join the Great trek to China. For that reason  Yanbian Fude responded by signing the out of contract Nikola Petkovic at a cut price budget.

From the other end of upcoming stars. In what turned out to be a disappointing end to a very promising winter window, it all came down to small logistical issues to hinder a lucrative deal for the FIFA 2014 World cup player Kunle Odunlami. Just when the Chinese Super league is attracting an endless list of elite European based stars, it was Kunle’s chance to done the colors of Shenzhen FC. The Guadong based club extended their interest well back at start of  December , with a deadline set for the 20th. However with a series of strict  visa requirements for Africa based professionals we couldn’t beat the deadline despite some documents being shipped to and fro by DHL.

We at Joe Mart take pride in providing  the best opportunities to both clubs and players. Its left to see, if within the shortest time remaining in the window if they can sign an equally good European based player.#ToGodbeTheGlory#

After a lengthy wait on international clearance the lanky left back who switched from Caps United FC in Zimbabwe to a new home in Denmark’s premier league side Hobro IK,  finally made his debut 0n  2 Sept against Vejle in a cup game

His immediate impact was felt when his side ran out 4-2 winners away to the table toppers of the first division side. After a successful campaign with the national side U23s where he captained his side to an All-Africa games finals in Congo, Hobro IK wasted no time to snatch the 20 yr old talented left back who has since broke into the senior national team squad.

However in this weekend’s crunch AFCON Qualifier at home to Guinea, Ronnie is conspicuously absent as the coach Calisto Pasuwa want him to settle at his new team first. Its always a wait and see for young players as we all want to see how well he can settle in the team, let alone help his side stay afloat the premier league. There is no doubt though about Ronald’s talent as big clubs in Germany have put him in radar ever since he moved abroad with a view to switch him at the end of his contract should he live up to expectations.

 

After a relentless pursuit on Seidu Bancey the Africa Cup of Nations 2014 finalist,  Delhi Dynamos finally turned their attention to a much more younger in-form Ghana striker at the league leaders Ashanti Gold FC. The   goal-scoring sensation Bernard Morrison have agreed terms with his new club.  As terms have been agreed ,  its understood Bernard will meet up in Sweden with Joe Mhondiwa  as his official representative to undergo medicals at a designated venue organized by Delhi Dynamos sponsors.

We at Joe Mart Sports and Events warmly welcome our latest recruitment into our ranks after it all looked doom and gloom when our first client sort greener pastures elsewhere. Speaking to the president of Delhi Dynamos Mr Prashant Argrwal , he had this to say. “I’m pleased to have known and worked with Joe Mart. We made an offer to this player early on during the year and our efforts ended in vain. Thanks to Joe for intervening at the right time to facilitate this deal otherwise we were already looking elsewhere for alternatives”

Negotiations are now underway between player and club. If deal  goes through then it’s understood Roberto Carlos will likely deploy Bernard upfront alongside Alessandro Del Pierro if he agrees to come back as this year’s marquee player. It’s not known yet who Dynamos’ marquee player would be as the club is keeping their cards to their chest. But there are strong suggestions that ex- French International Florent Malouda will lead the Delhi troops on the pitch.

After 22 games of either loose or draw,  the Shannonsiders finally registered their first win of the season on the day that Patrick made his debut after putting pen to paper last week.

The 28-year-old previously played with Queens Park Rangers, Swindon Town, Cluj in Romania and Tamworth back in England, among others, with his most recent club being Roi Et United in Thailand.Kanyuka arrived on Shannonside during the past month and played in the friendly match against MK Dons, earning himself a contract until the end of this season.

“I’m excited. It’s my first time in Ireland. I’ve been here for about two weeks and I like what I see regarding the facilities, the club, the players and Limerick,” Patrick told LimerickFC.ie.“There is a young team here and regarding the facilities they have a new stadium so the future looks bright for the club.

“MK Dons was my first game since I came back from Thailand. It was kind of different to Thai football so I’m adapting to the physical game here. It was a good test.”

Limerick struck the front past the midway point of the first half when Faherty fired to the roof of the net after being set up by Lee-J Lynch.

The night got better for the Shannonsiders – searching for their first league win of the year at the 22nd attempt – as they doubled their advantage with a bullet close-range header from Faherty after Ian Turner’s delivery.Sligo made two changes at the break, and after pressing for a way back into the game they found one before the hour-mark when former Limerick man Patrick Nzuzi provided the cross for debutant Rob Lehane to score.

But Limerick restored their two-goal cushion within eight minutes when Lynch won possession and found Faherty who in turn fed Clarke, the hard-working forward’s shot deflecting off ex-Blue Jason Hughes and going over ‘keeper Richard Brush. However, much of the 980 in attendance were forced to endure a nervy finish after Gary Armstrong brought the Bit O’ Red back within one with 12 minutes remaining. And they had Shane Tracy to thank for seeing them through after his goal-line clearance from Raffaele Cretaro, as Martin Russell’s side moved within seven points of The Showgrounds club who occupy the playoff place.

Born in Zimbabwe in a working class suburb of  Rugare close to my own neighborhood ( Warren Park in Harare). We are proud today seeing one of our own at Joe Mart proving to be an all-conquering striker. McDonalds Manyinda(Macca) as he is known was born to Malawian parents residing in Zimbabwe who later repatriated back to Malawi where he lived up until he move to Ireland 3 years ago.

In a season where Ringmahon Rangers came so near to win the league in Cork schoolboys premier league U15s,  Macca as he is popularly known proved once again that he is a reliable top striker. Last season he came into the club midway through the season and scored  26 goals. This season he just proved beyond doubt that his maiden appearance was not a fluke.

He finished with 48 goals which went down as the

• League top scorer
• Club top scorer
• All-time club top-scorer

Once again we say Congratulations to the ONE FOR THE FUTURE.

Just when every other team is strengthening their squad with local players, the bottom placed Munster team is pondering to make  another foreign swoop. This time a French – Algerian flavor will spear head the attack for the super -blues in their quest to stay afloat the top division. Mehdi Kerrouch had stints with good sides such as Ajaccio in France,Al Oruba UAE, Swindon Town and Oxford in England. It was at the then League 2 side Swindon Town where he had some distinctive success under Paolo Di Canio

He has recently plaid in his parents home country for the top side Cs Constantine before heading back to France where he rejoined his childhood home team.  “He looks like he can do a job for us, but he has to prove he is good enough for this league, let alone a marquee player or top earner for us” said the Chairman Pat O’sullivan. All is left to the technical side to make their assesment as time is running out for them to pose an unlikely escape. If signed he will line up as the 3rd foreign player after the Blues have signed the giant defender Patrick Kanyuka .

After a successful career that took him through big clubs such as QPR, Swindon Town and Champions league participants CFR Cluj in Romania, Pato as he is called, is edging closer to have a new home. He has recently plaid in Thailand where he featured as a captain for Roi Et United. As is usual having enjoyed a stint outside UK , Patrick sort to find his way back into UK by briefly securing a contract in Ireland. It didn’t take long for him to catch-up with us at Joe Mart Sports and Events Mgt.

We at Joe Mart gave him an opportunity to showcase his vast experience gathered over a series of clubs ranging from Europe, Asia and America. After a few training sessions,  Martin Russell had this to say. “There is no doubt about Patrick,s ability, we just have to see on Tuesday how he will cope in a match situation against the championship side MK Dons”.   Tuesday the 14th came and Patrick didn’t take long to prove he is that which the club is missing. Twice he made last ditch tackles that could have seen MK Dons take an early lead. As if that was not enough, the first time he went up for a corner kick he connected well above all defenders forcing a bullet header narrowly wide off the target that went with a round of applause from the fans. From then on he became a fans favorite getting cheers of appreciation with every pass and tackle won.

It didn’t surprise then when he got substituted midway through second half that even the MK Dons staff applauded him and a loud chant from the crowd came up “Sign him up”, “sign him up” Sign him uuuuuup”. It maybe too little too late for the bottom placed Limerick City but there is no doubt Patrick will be a success in League of Ireland.

In what turned out to be a last minute turn around of fortunes. It  just happened that Al Fujaira got denied a chance to land the giant striker’s signature. Two weeks prior to the end of victorious season of Bournemouth FC, the on -loan striker from Cardiff City Kenwyne  Jones looked unsettled after being loaned out to the then championship winning aspirants who eventually won the Championship race on the last game of the season. For that reason,  the Far East Club who were seeking a giant striker to spearhead their attack in the following season decided to tempt the Trinidad and Tobago striker by offering him a seven  figure  2 year deal. As is usual we at Joe Mart Sports and Events were on hand to woe the coveted striker to the Far East working closely with our Dubai based partners.

Speaking to the player’s representatives on 2 separate occasions ,  Joe said. ” Its a huge disappointment  as we considered this as a done deal. We only learnt at the end of the season that the player still had a running contract with his parent club Cardiff City up to 2016  which he is expected to honour . So we have to see if we can get a suitable replacement for our client. An un-named club official just confirmed after waiting for a further 2 weeks that , If it happens for some reason that the player becomes available then we will be ready to pounce.