Kenya: Rangers FC Shoot Down Leopards’ Player Raid

Odindo Ayieko

29 June 2011

Nairobi — Charles Okwemba’s transfer to AFC Leopards hangs in the balance as Rangers FC on Wednesday slapped an indefinite suspension on him just three days after Ingwe paraded him as their player.

At the same time, Rangers is closing in on Nigerian forward Abbas Akiyemi. Rangers said on Wednesday they had not released Okwemba and threatened to take Leopards to the disciplinary panel for tapping their player.

“We are shocked that our player Charles Okwemba was paraded last week as a AFC Leopards’ new signing yet we have not released the player, neither has AFC Leopards held talks with us over their wish to sign the said player,” said Rangers chief executive officer Errol King.

Explain their absence

And in a letter to Okwemba, King stated: “The board of directors of Rangers has found out that your action has violated the existing contract you have with Rangers FC.

“The board has therefore proceeded to slap you with an indefinite suspension from all the club’s activities.”

Rangers has also summoned two other players who have been linked with moves to Tusker FC to explain their absence from club training in the past three weeks.

In a letter to Joseph Mbugi and Brian Mandela, King issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the players to explain their absence or face disciplinary action.

According to King, Mbugi and Mandela have contracts with the club until December 2013. Meanwhile, Rangers is contesting the recall of forward Joseph Nyaga by Mathare United.

Nyaga, who has been at the club on a one-year loan, was recalled last week via a letter from Mathare United CEO Sam Mwai and loaned to Sofapaka.

Rangers are complaining that Mathare did not use proper channels in recalling the players.

Agreed terms

Several clubs have been on the prowl for Rangers players, whose top form in the Kenyan Premier League has helped to catapult the side to the top of the table.

Okwemba has been on Leopards’ radar while Tusker targeted Mandela and Mbugi. Sofapaka has been following Nyaga and Kevin Ochieng but the latter is said to have agreed terms with Gor Mahia.

On Wednesday, Errol said the club will not hold any player who wishes to move on but will only sign releases for players who follow the due process.

Rangers are in talks with Akiyemi, who played for Sofapaka last season but his move to Tusker FC stalled due to lack of a work permit.

Tusker has, on the other hand, signed Hillary Echesa, formerly of Tanzania’s Simba SC, on a one-year contract. The club has confirmed releasing promising forward Moses Odhiambo to Gor.

The June transfer window will close on Friday.

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