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Former Kakamega Homeboyz Chikati feeling pain of Fifa ban

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 00:00 | By
MOSES CHIKATI Things have never been the same since then but I have received so much encouragement.

Former Kakamega Homeboyz defensive midfielder Moses Chikati, who was banned alongside three team-mates by Fifa for match-fixing is not giving up yet on his playing career.

Chikati, colleagues Festus Okiring and Festo Omukoto were handed four-year bans for manipulating Kenyan Premier League matches while Ugandan defender George Mandela, was banned for life given his central role in the conspiracy.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee said it had found the players guilty of having been involved in match manipulation in violation of Article 69. Paragraph. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2017 Edition) (unlawfully influencing match results).

“The formal disciplinary proceedings against the aforementioned individuals stemmed from an investigation into various matches from the Kenyan Premier League in 2019.

This investigation was conducted by FIFA through its Integrity Department with the consent of and in co-operation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities,” said Fifa in a statement while handing out the punishment in February.

Chikati, however, denies the charge and still consults on his next course of action regarding the case, not ruling out an appeal.

The 26-year-old agrees the decision left him in shock although he has not given up on his playing career.

“Sometimes when you are at the peak of your career and this kind of thing happens, it takes a spirit of bravery to overcome it.

Things have never been the same since then but I have received so much encouragement and support from my colleagues, friend and family,” Chikati told People Sport on Monday at Shidodo Primary School in Kakamega where he trains from. 

‘‘I can also single out Homeboyz team manger for the encouragement and support from the day the ban was slapped on me and the other players. We, however, believe justice will be done with the real perpetrators being brought to book,” he dded.

He went on: “Having been ordered not to be actively involved with football, I have designed my personal training programme just to maintain my fitness as I remain optimistic on making a good comeback.

I can’t look back and get distracted with the ban but I am forging forward, aiming to realise my dream and objective despite the bad reputation and the tag on my shoulders.”

Things have been worse for Chikati since the ban, having to turn to farming and boda boda to earn a living after his contract was terminated.

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