Nzoia Sugar’s long-serving lieutenant Peter Gin has opened up on the emotional and unexpected decision to return to the pitch in a bid to save the Bungoma-based club from collapse.Last month, the midfield maestro was among the players unveiled by Nzoia at the close of the mid-season transfer window—his first professional appearance since 2022.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news##NAJAVA_MECA_8842314##Speaking exclusively to Mozzart Sport, Gin, who has served the club for over a decade, revealed that he was compelled to act after an exodus of players left the team on the brink of disbanding.“At the time, life forced me to make a tough call,” Gin admitted. “I honestly didn’t think I’d ever return to playing. I had already chosen my next path—to coach from the sidelines.”Gin was serving as assistant coach under Charles Odera when the situation took a dire turn.“Everyone knows Nzoia Sugar Limited stopped sponsoring the team. They even terminated player contracts. Naturally, many players left, and no one was willing to sign with us. The club was crumbling,” he opened up.Ambrose Rachier secures another term as Gor Mahia chairmanAccording to Gin, the team had to turn to its internal resources.“As a group, we agreed to use the players we had within the club. That’s how I found myself back on the pitch. It wasn’t part of the plan—it was survival.”What motivated his decision, Gin says, was not just loyalty, but leadership.“Our chairman was left to carry the weight alone. We had a long conversation, and we agreed to do what we could to keep the team alive till the end of the season. Then we’d figure things out from there.”Coach Babu: We’re set for Afcon challengeGin also pointed to the lack of experience in the squad as a key factor behind his return.“Looking at the team, we had raw talent but no experience. That gap had to be filled, and I stepped in to bridge it.”Now armed with a CAF D coaching license, Gin had already transitioned into a coaching role.However, when Odera left in March to join the Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), Gin also had to take on the responsibility of leading training sessions alongside the goalkeeping coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_8842569##Despite the current challenges, he remains optimistic about the club’s future.“With proper financial backing, this team can bounce back stronger next season. Nzoia has always been a great platform for young talents—we can keep that legacy going.”Asked whether he plans to continue playing or fully focus on coaching, Gin said the decision depends on the club’s progress at the end of the 2024/25 National Super League season.Shabana FC respond to calls to host high stakes Gor Mahia clash in NairobiCurrently, Nzoia sits 13th in the standings with 31 points from 24 matches.They travel to face Mully Children Family (MCF) this Saturday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
