Bandari, Sofapaka tussle over Amos Asembeka ownership
An ownership battle has ensued between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clubs Bandari and Sofapaka over the image and sporting rights of footballer Amos Asembeka.
In a letter addressed to FKF Chief Executive Barry Otieno, Bandari acting Chief Executive Tony Kibwana insists Asembekha is still a bonafide player of the Mombasa-based football club with a running contract until June 2024.
Kibwana further expresses shock that the player has been turning out for Sofapaka in competitive league matches.
“It is a great concern that we have noted Sofapaka fielded Amos Asembeka who is Bandari’s player in matches against Kenya Police, Tusker, KCB, and FC Talanta. Bandari wishes to announce that Asembeka remains our player on the following grounds;
“The player has a contract with Bandari which runs for one and a half years (from February 16, 2023 to June 30, 2023,”)
Bandari alluded that they had unsuccessfully attempted to mutually terminate the player’s contract in June 2023.
The Dockers via the letter added that they have paid Asembeka’s salary up to date and have not issued him with any release letter.
Bandari also said they are committed to handling Asembeka’s issue professionally and within the football rules and regulations.
Asembeka was in action when Sofapaka beat Kenya Police 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on October 21. He also featured in Batoto ba Mungu’s 1-0 loss to Tusker on October 28 and on November 1 when Batoto ba Mungu thrashed KCB 3-0 also at Kenyatta Stadium.
Asembeka netted a goal in the win over KCB and was also in action when Sofapaka went down 3-0 to FC Talanta last weekend.
He joined Bandari in January 2023 as a free agent after his move to Tanzania’s Prison FC fell through.
He has previously played for Wazito in Kenya’s top-tier league.
Football rules dictate a professional footballer can only be contracted and registered to one club at a time, unless an agreement is reached between the two clubs for him/her to be sent out on loan.
The player, FKF and Sofapaka are yet to respond to these claims.
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