Ecuadorian pair return home as contract expires

By PATRICIA KEAMO
KUMUL Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) champions Lae City’s Ecuadorian pair Gustine Icaza and Abdias Aguirre will return to their home country today following the end of their contracts.
The pair joined the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored side on Jan 19 for their NSL and Oceania Football Confederation Champions League campaigns.
City manager Edris Kumbruwah said the pair played their last game in the NSL grand final against competition rookies Vitiaz United in Port Moresby last month.
When asked if City were open to renewing their contracts, he said: “We’ll have to look at the possibility because it’s quite expensive.
“We have to look at the season and it’s up to the franchise owner.
“But at the moment, we are sending them home.”
While the pair had shown interest in remaining with the team, Kumbruwah said “they can’t keep them here” with the season now over.
Icaza said he hoped to return to Papua New Guinea next year.
“Maybe we’ll return in March, it depends on when the NSL starts here and the Covid-19 travel restrictions,” he said.
“Although it’s sad that we will leave the friends we made here, we hope to return and give more to the team.
“It’s also very nice to go home and be with your loved ones again.”