Sofapaka clears dues owed to former players

The 2009 Kenyan champions Sofapaka have let themselves off the hook after belatedly clearing up with their former international players. The club had in the past found itself squeezed between a rock and a hard place after their former players, through their lawyers sought the help of FIFA in demanding for the delayed payments.

FIFA, had imposed a transfer ban among other sanctions on the club in an attempt to compel it to clear with the erstwhile players. Some of the players who had reported the club to Zurich include Ghanaian attacking midfielder Nana Ameyaw, and Burundian international Moussa Omar.

Togolese goalkeeper Moubarak Aigba had also reported the club to FIFA but withdrew the case after reaching an mutual agreement to part ways amicably. The custodian was initially demanding 1.3 million shillings.

Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa revealed that his office had paid the three players their dues as instructed by FIFA and all the sanctions had been removed.

Kalekwa said the arrival of international players at the club in the recently shut window was an indication that the club’s name had been struck off FIFA’s red list after meeting all the set-out conditions.

Sofapaka reunited with Ugandan goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya and went on to bring in Davis Kasirye from KCCA in the past window.

“We have paid our former players and consequently, all the embargos have been lifted. We could not have signed international players in the past window had we not cleared with them,” he said.

Moussa threatens to report Sofapaka to FIFA

When reached for a comment, Omar who plies his trade with Rwandese side Police FC, the defender confirmed that the club had paid him the amount in question.

The central defender who joined Batoto Ba Mungu in2018 after impressing in the 2017 edition of the CECAFA Senior Challenge had been owed 6,900 USD.

Ameyaw on the other hand was claiming 12,000 USD- the total value of his annual contract plus interest and a further 1000 USD in legal fees.

More trouble looming at Sofapaka as Aigba heads to FIFA

“Sofapaka have finally remitted what is rightfully mine after a long wait. I have nothing against my former employer. All I wanted was my money which I worked hard for. In the meantime, I am open to returning to the Kenyan league,” said Omar who left Sofapaka in August 2019.

Efforts to reach Ameyaw for a comment were futile.