John Avire ‘joins’ Egypt’s Tanta side from Sofapaka

Striker John Avire during a KPL match against Western Stima FC at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Wednesday, Jan 2, 2019. The match ended 1-1. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan international John Avire has completed his protracted ‘move’ from Sofapaka to Egyptian Premier League side Tanta, reports indicate.

Avire has reportedly been offered a two-year deal by Tanta, who are making a return to Egyptian topflight football barely a year after being relegated.

He becomes the second Kenyan to sign up for an Egyptian outfit after Mathare United midfielder Cliff Nyakeya joined FC Masr last month. Tanta earned promotion after winning their group in the Egyptian second division.

Avire, who made two appearances for Harambee Stars in the 2019 African Nations Cup finals in Cairo, has been at the centre of a transfer tussle involving his parent club Sofapaka and former Football Kenya Federation Secretary-General Robert Muthomi.

Sofapaka accused Muthomi of allegedly engineering his move to North Africa without their consent. Muthomi has since then stepped aside as FKF Secretary-General to pave way for investigations.

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa said the Egyptian side has not contacted them over Avire’s transfer, thus he is still their player.

“I have just heard that Avire has signed for an Egyptian club, yet we have not released him. We filed our case at the federation and they are still handling it. There is always a process to be followed before a player is signed,” Kalekwa told Standard Sports.

“As far as I’m concerned, he is still our player. We will only release him if that club officially engages us and gives us the transfer fees that we want and not the vice versa. And if indeed they have signed him, we will engage our lawyers for further action.”