Sofapaka asks FKF to write to Egypt FA and stop Avire from joining Tanta FC
Phillip Kamakya
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Sofapaka now plan to escalate the saga surrounding want-away star striker John Avireto world football governing body Fifa as the player is yet to report to the club, a month after they started pre-season training and is believed to have illegally joined Egypt second division side Tanta FC.
Avire went awol towards the end of June, demanding to leave Sofapaka. His wishes were not granted but he went ahead and travelled to Egypt for trials with Tanta without the blessings of his parent club and without an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
“It is frustrating and sounds like a mockery, the fact that agents can nowadays just approach, leave with a duly contracted player to force a move to another club and illegally make his money with no action taken against them,” said Sofapaka boss Elly Kalekwa.
He added: “We have written to FKF urging them to contact the Egyptian FA to find out why one of their league clubs is engaging our player without following the laid down procedures and also to inform them not to clear the player to play until his contract with Sofapaka ends.”
Kalekwa said that as per article 17.5 and 18.3 of the Fifa regulations, any club or persons wishing to engage in order to get a player’s services, must first and foremost engage with the club officially in writing, which had not happened in Avire’s case.
FKF had initially confirmed that Avire was fully a contracted Sofapaka player and termed his actions as illegal.
The player who featured for national football team Harambee Stars at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, is believed to have caught the eyes of a number of scouts while at the continental championships and according to Tanta twitter account, he had joined the side on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Sofapaka.
The former student of Nyandarua’s Passenga High School began his career with Thika United youth team before moving to Bandari in 2016. He was later loaned out to Kakamega Homeboyz in January 2017 but lasted for just six months before returning to his parent club. Lack of playtime at Bandari saw him move to Mt. Kenya United in June 2018. After five months with Mt. Kenya United, he joined Sofapaka in November 2018.
Meanwhile, Kalekwa yesterday confirmed releasing seven players namely Stephen Waruru, Dennis Odhiambo, Justin Ndikumana, Mousa Omar, Piston Mutamba, Cliff Kasuti and Mike Oduor.
Waruru has since joined KCB while Oduor and Mutamba have joined Wazito FC with Cliff Kasuti signing for Bandari. Dennis, Justin and Mousa have asked to leave the club after coming into a mutual agreement with the club to hand them release letters.
“I want to thank all the players for the service they have given to the team.
They have been exceptional professionals even in the wake of the challenges we have faced and I want to laud them for the great service they have given to the club,” Kalekwa said.
