Wimbo Satwiko

Richard Anoure Obiora, right, could be headed back to Sriwijaya despite being cut loose after the Copa Indonesia final. (Photo: Ari Bowo Sucipto, Antara)

Sriwijaya Swallows Its Pride In Pursuit of New Recruits

Sriwijaya FC might want to leave the hardball to the guys with wooden bats and diamond-shaped fields.

Forced to rethink its position in the transfer market after a deal for Greg Nwokolo fell through, the two-time defending Copa Indonesia winner must convince Richard Anoure Obiora he is wanted after all.

Having released the Cameoonian midfielder after the Indonesian Super League season to make room for Nwokolo, Sriwijaya technical director Hendri Zainuddin said the club has opened talks to bring the best player in the 2008 Copa back into the fold.

“Currently, Obiora is in Cameroon, so we can’t contact him,” Hendri said on Thursday. “But we talked with his agent, and he said Obiora would stay in Palembang. We’ll also raise his contract.”

Though he refused to state an exact number, Hendri said Obiora’s previous annual salary was about Rp 1 billion.

Bringing back Obiora would fill Sriwijaya’s three unrestricted foreigner spots under the Indonesian League Body’s new “3 plus 2” rule, which takes effect next season. Teams can have three foreigners of any nationality, but the other two spots are reserved for players from Asian Football Confederation member nations.

State-run news agency Antara has reported that the South Sumatra club is pursuing two Asian players in the form of Agu Casmir, a Nigerian-born Singaporean, and Gerard Ambassa Guy, a Hong Kong international originally from Cameroon.

Hendri confirmed Sriwijaya had spoken with Casmir.

“Previously, he asked for Rp 1.5 billion [per year]. It’s too much, even for us,” he said. “But then we started to talk from scratch and he didn’t mind lowering his demand. We have almost reached an agreement with him.”

Sriwijaya is also speaking with Persija Jakarta’s Ponaryo Astaman, Hendri added, after the midfield playmaker lowered his salary demand.

Signing Ponaryo would reunite him with former Persija teammate Ismed Sofyan, another offseason capture. Sriwijaya has also acquired Arema Malang winger Arief Suyono.

Elsewhere, national team midfielder Elie Aiboy expressed his desire to join PSM Makassar. Elie’s contract with PSMS Medan expired at the end of the season.

“Personally, I consider PSM one of the ISL’s top clubs,” he told Antara from the national training camp in Sawangan, West Java. “I really hope I can join PSM and play in Makassar next season.”

Elie, 30, said he would also consider a return to Selangor FC.

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