MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club Iloilo have lost two more key players ahead of their preparation for the 2019 Asian Football Confederation Cup and 2019 Philippine Premier League.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kaya Iloilo announced the departure of Senegalese striker Robert Lopez Mendy and former Philippine Azkals midfielder Kenshiro Daniels.
The 31-year-old Lopez Mendy, who emerged as the leading scorer for Kaya-Iloilo in the 2018 Philippines Football League season, have recently signed up with UiTM FC, a club that competes in the second tier of Malaysian football.
The 24-year-old Daniels, on the other hand, recently ended his five-year partnership with the Kaya franchise to pursue a new playing experience in the United States.
Earlier departing from the team were Miguel Tanton, who is set to transfer to Ceres-Negros FC; Ref Cuaresma, who was elevated to the coaching staff; and Antonio Ugarte, has traveled to Panama for a new adventure in Central America.
“The service of these players has been massive in the club’s success and development over the years, and Kaya FC as a whole wish to extend our gratitude and appreciation for their contribution,” Kaya Iloilo said in a statement.
Kaya Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida said the departure of the five players might be a huge blow for the team but they are now shifting their focus on their remaining players and those trying out for a spot in the team.
“They are huge losses to the team but we still have other players who will try to fill in their spots,” Marcaida said in an interview following their 0-1 loss to Ceres Negros in a friendly game on Tuesday at the McKinley Football Field in Taguig City./PN
