Jacob Keli’s Nkana FC teammates caught up in immigration controversy
Kenya international striker Jacob Keli was not among the foreign players targeted during a “swoop” by immigration officials at Nkana FC on Thursday evening, Nairobi News can exclusively reveal.
Reports in the Zambian media indicate that about half a dozen officials from immigration descended at the Kitwe based club earlier this week and requested for information on three foreign based players including Fred Tsimenga and Diego Apenene from DRC and Ghanian midfielder Osmami Chiyangi.
The officials, the reports suggest, were wanted to find out if the trio’s work permits were still valid.
The swoop which occurred during the morning training session reportedly led to a scuffle between a section of Nkana FC fans and the officials with the latter forced to flee for safety.
NKANA VS ZESCO
“They (immigration officials) came here and asked for information about Diego, Osmami and Fred which we have and offered them,” Nkana FC chairman Evaristo Kabila told the media.
Keli meanwhile told Nairobi News he is looking forward to scoring his first competitive goal for the club against David ‘Calabar’ Owino’s Zesco United on Saturday.
“I have special motivation to get off the mark for the club as soon as possible and I will be happy to score against Zesco, but not because my friend Calabar plays for the team,” Keli said.
Zesco top the Zambian league table at the moment and are on course to retaining the title while Nkana are placed 11th in the 15-team table.