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The Nairobian

Sofapaka and Gor get reprieve for players

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Feb 02, 2018

Sofapaka have won the final battle to keep striker Steven Waruru.

And Lawrence Juma, who was said to have signed for Tusker, has been given the green light to play for league champions Gor Mahia.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Players Status Committee ruled yesterday that the two players had rightfully signed for the two clubs, thus throwing out a claim by Tusker.

The committee chaired by FKF Deputy President Doris Petra also ruled that Tusker did not follow the right procedure when signing the two players.

Last week, FKF Chief Executive Robert Muthomi said Waruru and Juma were signed by Tusker, which forced both clubs to appeal to the committee.

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On Waruru, the committee said: ”Tusker’s contract is invalid as it is, does not refer and relate to activities organised under Football Kenya Federation and therefore any agreement made between the club and the player is null and void.

“Sofapaka engaged the parent club Ulinzi Stars as per the laid down procedures upon which a release letter was issued to the player who presented it for his registration.”

Concerning Juma, they said: ”Gor Mahia engaged the parent club Nzoia Sugar as per the laid down procedures upon which a release letter was issued to the player who presented it for his registration and subsequently his contract agreement. They are therefore the rightful owners of the player.”

The committee further said Tusker should be investigated regarding how it engages with players who have contracts with other clubs.

Reacting to the ruling, Waruru, who is one of the seven players signed by Sofapaka this season, said he was glad the matter had been resolved.

“I have always been a Sofapaka player and never signed for Tusker. I can now focus on helping my new team to win the title,” he said.

Waruru, who resigned as a soldier while playing for Ulinzi Stars, said his move was motivated by a desire to play professional football.

Kepha Aswani, who also joined Sofapaka, said he was delighted with the team's ambitions.

“Sofapaka is a big club that has the ambition to win titles this year and for me, it is the right place to be. It will not be easy sustaining a first-team spot though,” he said.