Njogu’s Brann future hangs in the balance

A week after the close of the Norwegian season there is speculation about the future of one of the two Gambian internationals at Brann SK, winners of the league title during the 2007/2008 season.

Newspapers in Denmark reported last week that striker Njogu Demba was on his way back to his former Danish club Esbjerg after only a season in Norway where he struggled with his form because of multiple injury problems.

Rumours linking Njogu to a return to his old club began after the Gambian international was spotted watching an Esbjerg home fixture just over a week ago when Brann was also involved in a season-ending fixture in Norway .

Brann’s director of sports wasn’t dismissive of the rumours when approached by local reporters last week.

“We are yet to sit with Demba to evaluate the just-ended season,” Roald Bruun-Hanssen said, “but we [Brann] have had our own reflections and he probably done the same.”

“One thing is clear however; things never evolved the way both parties had hoped for.”
Although Njogu has three years left on his contract, there seemed a willingness in the comments of the sports director to let him go.

“We knew about Njogu going to Denmark but not to meet with Esbjerg officials because there has been no formal approach made to Brann for the player.”

On Monday Njogu’s Danish agent further fuelled speculation about the Gambian international in comments made to a newspaper in Denmark .

Ulrik Le Fevre told a reporter for Bold that he was yet to receive any offer for his client but pointed out that Njogu’s future would depend on what decision a new Brann manager made.

“Demba is waiting for a new coach at Bergen . And if the coach does not want him as part of his group, then we will probably look around for something else”

Le Fevre said.  Hampered by injury for most of the season, the 29-year-old Gambian international scored only 4 goals in all competitions in his first season Brann. He got two in the league, one in the domestic cup and one in the UEFA Champions League.
He underwent a groin operation last month which kept him out of Brann’s last three games of the season.

Source: Gambia Sports Online