Transfer gossip

There's nothing better than a bit of football transfer gossip and the word on the street is that 4 players who were plying their trade in the Metfone C-League last season, have been snapped up on contracts ahead of the new season that kicks-off next month in the Thailand 1st Division. They include 3 players who appeared for Phnom Penh Crown last season, with top scorer Uche Prince Justine (pictured) hooking up with the C-League's top scorer last term with 25 goals, Kirivong's Julius Ononiwu, at Chula United. That means Chula have the two best marksmen over the last two seasons in Cambodia on their roster. The other two former Crown players who will be donning the kit of a Thai team next month will be Sani Saidu and Friday Nwakuna, who have joined the 'Fighting Bulls' at Songkhla FC. No news as yet on other players who were strutting their stuff in the C-League last season and who have been conspicuous by their absence this time around.

There's only one Julius

Julius Ononiwu moments after scoring 4 goals against Chhma Khmao this afternoon

With his 4 goals against Chhma Khmao this afternoon, Kirivong's top marksman took his tally to 17 for the season so far and is well on his way to his personal target of 25 goals for the campaign. He particularly likes playing against the Black Cats from Svay Rieng, having netted five against them in the earlier meeting this season. He now leads the race for the C-League's Golden Boot, won by his Nigerian compatriot Uche Prince Justine last season, but he had a surprise in store when I touched base with him for a few minutes after the game. Like Justine, he was born in Imo State in southeast Nigeria and celebrated his 22nd birthday last December. He arrived in Cambodia three years ago and this is his third season with Kirivong Sok Sen Chey. Last year he netted 16 times for the Takeo-based team and has already bettered that tally this time around. Before coming to Cambodia, Julius played academy football in Nigeria with Lentini FC and then had a season in Algeria with JS Kabylie. He sees his time in Cambodia as part of his learning experience and is hoping that his form this season will catapult onto bigger and better things. He also confirmed that his family name is Ononiwu and so from now he should be known as Julius Chukwuma Ononiwu. I'll make sure I get it right in future. Though he missed a penalty last week, his recent form has been red-hot and on his day he can destroy any defence, so with five games left to play, he's aiming for that personal target of 25 goals, and might just make it.

Julius Ononiwu (no 7) fights for possession with Om Thavrak (then with Naga) last season