Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Premier League football team is starting to take shape with the State body likely to wrap up deals with at least six players from the peninsula this weekend. According to Sabah Football Association Secretary General Alijus Sipil, team manager Yahya Kassim has been given the mandate during a meeting held on Tuesday to seal the deal with the players that were identified by the team management to beef up the squad for their campaign next season.
He said the players concerned had already being approached earlier but four have yet to agree on their terms while the other two had more or less confirmed. "We could not disclose their names as yet but we are definitely talking to two defenders, two goalkeepers and two strikers and I can disclose that the two who have agreed to join the team verbally are both strikers." It is most likely one of them is Khairul Izuan Khalid who played for T-Team last season and who arrived here last week.
He played in three friendlies and has showed some deft touches to net in three goals so far. Former Scottish league outfit Dundee captain and ex-Arsenal defender Rhys David Weston's chance to don the State colours next season is almost a done deal. Barring any unforeseen circumstances he will likely fly in next week to join the team. Alijus also hinted that an Ivory Coast top hitman may also come for a trial to fill in the other foreign imports' quota.
He added that there will be an open trial for all players both locals and imports to be held here from Nov 9-10 but the venue is yet to be decided as the Likas Stadium is under renovation at the moment. Meanwhile, Alijus said the full list of the 2013 State squad will be announced on November 15 and the official signing ceremony will be held a day or two later.
