AFC Leopards sheds light on Shichenje’s ‘botched’ move to Greece

The midfielder missed Leopards' final few matches before sporting activities were stopped in the country by President Uhuru Kenyatta due to the fast-increasing number of COVID-19 infections.

The Harambee Stars midfielder had been linked with a move away from the den with Greek giants PAOK touted as his next destination. He is still in the country and featured in Harambee Stars’ friendly match against South Sudan played three weeks ago at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Ingwe Secretary General Oliver Sikuku has now set the record straight. According to Sikuku, there is interest in the player from PAOK and another unnamed Portuguese club but the moves are yet to materialize due to travel restrictions brought by COVID-19

“First let me clarify that Shichenje is our player, he has a running contract with us. It is true there was interest in him from PAOK, and another club in Portugal. As a club we allowed him to travel outside the country for talks with the interested clubs and also do other things like medicals but it became difficult because of COVIID-19 and that is why he is still around,” Sikuku said.

"He followed the right procedure and we did not have any reason to deny him this opportunity,” he added.  

Sikuku further added that Ingwe cannot deny any player a chance to further his career outside the country as long as they follow the laid down protocol.

“We can never deny a player an opportunity to better his career and life. When we sign these young players the goal is to groom and sell them so that the club can benefit financially. So when a player gets an opportunity and comes to us we cannot sabotage such a move but it has been a sound agreement for all the parties,” he added.

Shichenje joined AFC Leopards in August 2019 from Green Commandos FC. A year earlier he was part of Kakamega High School's team that won the national football title in Eldoret.